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Commission – General
4 April 2023News story
Human rights leaders share lessons from across the globe
For the first time since 2019, the Australian Human Rights Commission was able to participate in person at the annual Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) meetings in Geneva. Over the week of 13-17 March, Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM and Chief Executive Leanne Smith joined colleagues from around the globe to share experiences, lessons… -
Children's Rights
19 May 2023Project
Supporting Quality Engagement with Children
Project overview The Supporting Quality Engagement with Children consultation project aims to include the voices of children, young people and their families in policies and services that directly affect them. The five Key National Strategies The National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds is undertaking consultation activities across five Key National Strategies. Safe and Supported:… -
Rights and Freedoms
15 March 2024SpeechFree + Equal: Australian Conversation on Human Rights Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission Check against delivery Your Excellency, Dr Michele Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Australian Human Rights Commission Commissioners—Dr Ben Gauntlett, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan, Sex Discrimination… -
Children's Rights
22 August 2019Speech
Sport as an Enabler of Human (Children’s) Rights - Craig Foster
Child Safe Organisations – Launch of the National Principles 21 August 2019 Sport as an Enabler of Human (Children’s) Rights Craig Foster Putting the child at the centre of sport, now there’s a novel idea. One that presents a direct challenge to the win-at-all-costs mentality. As we will find out today, that cost is can be a very high, human one, and often a child’s future. Hello everyone, I… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
2 July 2020Opinion pieceBlanket bans would be unacceptable
During lockdown, many of us – myself included – have become even more reliant on our mobile phones. They have kept us in contact with parents, children and grandchildren, our colleagues and friends during this difficult time. When my two-year old first saw his grandmother on a smartphone, he squealed with delight. It wasn’t quite the same as being together — he pawed at the screen to try to… -
Children's Rights
16 November 2021Media Release
Proposal to raise the age does not go far enough
All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
25 March 2021Media ReleaseJoint Statement: Rights of Children in the NT
Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO have urged the Northern Territory government to reconsider its proposals for youth offending, announced yesterday. The NT Government yesterday said it would put in "automatic revocation of bail" for young people who reoffend or breach their bail… -
Rights and Freedoms
18 November 2022Speech
Housing and human rights - rights where it matters
Sandy Duncanson Memorial Lecture Housing and human rights – rights where it matters Hobart, 11 October 2022 Abstract Homelessness can happen to anyone. People with disability are at an increased risk and they are joined by a growing invisible cohort of older women. COVID-19 was a trigger for state governments to find shelter for people living rough, illustrating that solutions to… -
Children's Rights
30 October 2020Media Release
Anne Hollonds commences as National Children’s Commissioner
Anne Hollonds has commenced in her role as Australia’s new National Children’s Commissioner. Commissioner Hollonds emphasised the need for greater recognition of the importance of childhood in Australia. “Childhood is quite rightly described as critically important for people's social, health and economic outcomes, but the value of childhood is not only about the future adult that a child… -
Disability Rights
15 April 2024Webpage
Ambassador Profile - Lisa Stafford
Lisa shares some of her achievements, projects she’s working on, the value of lived experience and tips for employers and people with disability. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
7 September 2023Webpage
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Information about the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. -
Rights and Freedoms
3 July 2020Submission
Inquiry into the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2020
The Bill would amend the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s (ASIO’s) compulsory questioning powers under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (Cth) (ASIO Act). -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
23 October 2019Publication
Use of force in immigration detention
The issue of the use of force in immigration detention has been raised in a range of complaints against the Department of Home Affairs received by the Commission. This report deals thematically with 14 complaints. -
Disability Rights
8 May 2019Media Release
Media Statement - Draft Terms of Reference for the Disability Royal Commission
Media Statement from Alastair McEwin, Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner I welcome today’s release of the draft terms of reference for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the government’s commitment to establish a Royal Commission. I am pleased that the draft terms of reference propose a broad scope for the Royal -
Race Discrimination
8 May 2019Media ReleaseNational Consultations with Australian Muslims
The Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan will today announce a series of national consultations with the Muslim community in Australia about their experiences of hate speech and violence and about their ideas for change. Commissioner Tan will make the announcement at a Harmony Day Event in Sydney. “In the aftermath of the horrific attacks in Christchurch, I want to hear the voices of… -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media Release
Encryption law falls short on rights safeguards
Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow warns significant threats to human rights remain despite some improvements to Australia’s encryption law. “Police and security agencies must be equipped with robust powers to protect our national security. However, these powers need independent oversight, to ensure any impact on our human rights is proportionate to the relevant risks,” said… -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media Release
Religious Freedom announcement
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the release of the Religious Freedom Review. The Commission looks forward to assessing any legislative proposals when they are released in order to ensure that they appropriately balance human rights. “It is critical that any new laws do not create new forms of discrimination.” “Australia must protect the rights of all people, including… -
Rights and Freedoms
2 September 2019Media Release
Commissioners call for compassionate approach for Tamil family
Australian Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell and Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow have today written to Minister David Coleman, calling for an urgent and compassionate resolution for the Tamil family detained in immigration detention on Christmas Island. “Given their connection to Australia, showing compassion and allowing the family to stay together in the only community the… -
Rights and Freedoms
8 October 2019Media Release
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sydney
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Her Excellency Dr Michelle Bachelet AC, is in Sydney today to attend the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Free and Equal; A National Conversation on Human Rights. Dr Bachelet will deliver the keynote address at the conference. Her speech will focus on Australia’s human rights achievements and challenges, as well as our sphere of influence in the… -
Legal
17 June 2019SubmissionReview of citizenship loss provisions in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth)
The Commission urges reform of these citizenship loss provisions, and makes 11 recommendations to ameliorate the significant human rights concerns.