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Asylum Seekers and Refugees
26 July 2019Media ReleaseTransferring asylum seeker families to Nauru – human rights report
The practice of sending to Nauru families with young children who arrived in Australia seeking asylum is the subject of an inquiry report by the Australian Human Rights Commission tabled in Parliament today. [1] Mr Richard Lancaster SC, as delegate of the President, found that the regional processing centre on Nauru was not an appropriate place to send families with young children… -
Rights and Freedoms
16 July 2019Media ReleaseUrgent call for Federal Government to protect 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers at risk in the community
The Australian Human Rights Commission calls on the Australian Government to make urgent changes to improve protections for approximately 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in the Australian community. A new report released today, Lives on hold: Refugees and asylum seekers in the ‘Legacy Caseload’, reveals the human rights situation for approximately 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers… -
Commission – General
27 August 2024News storyStatement by Commission President Hugh de Kretser
Australian Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Kretser has expressed concerns about calls for Palestinians fleeing Gaza to be denied entry to Australia. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
19 April 2024News story
Inspection report: “serious concerns” at Yongah Hill Detention Centre
An inspection report by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found that a high-security immigration detention centre in Western Australia was, in part, “no longer fit for purpose”, and raised serious concerns over safety conditions and the level of care for detainees and staff. The Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre Inspection Report followed a two-day inspection of the adult… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
16 July 2019Publication
Lives on hold: Refugees and asylum seekers in the 'Legacy caseload' (2019)
This report examines the human rights implications of policies affecting asylum seekers in the ‘Legacy Caseload’. -
Education25 February 2015Webpage
Face the facts: Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Statistics from 2014 Back to main Face the Facts page All people are entitled to protection of their human rights, including the right to seek asylum, regardless of how or where they arrive in Australia. Australia has ratified the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951. This Convention defines who is a refugee, sets out the basic rights that countries should guarantee to refugees… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
"Asylum Seekers": Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2002)
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Worimi people who are the traditional owners of this land and a timely reminder that we are all immigrants to this vast continent. -
8 October 2024Webpage
Stats & Facts
Explore statistics and facts to learn about different human rights topics in Australia. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Treating asylum seekers well is in all our interests (2011)
The following opinion pieces have been published by the President and Commissioners. Reproduction of the opinion pieces must include reference to where the opinion piece was originally published. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President speech: Human Rights, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
I would like to begin this morning by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to their elders past and present. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
7 December 2023Opinion piece
Hasty detainee laws raise human rights concerns
Read an opinion piece from Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay raising concerns about the passage of new laws responding to the fallout from the recent NZYQ High Court decision. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
22 October 2013Publication
Asylum seekers, refugees and human rights - Snapshot Report
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview – or ‘snapshot’ – of the key human rights issues that arise from Australia’s approach to asylum seekers and refugees who arrive by boat. -
14 December 2012Book page
Questions and Answers About Refugees & Asylum Seekers
According to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (also called the Refugee Convention), a refugee is someone who is outside their own country and cannot return due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of their: -
14 December 2012Book page
Community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons
There are a host of benefits associated with community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons. Community arrangements are more closely aligned with international human rights law and standards than models of indefinite closed immigration detention. They also provide for far more humane treatment of people seeking protection. -
14 December 2012Book page
Community arrangements asylum seekers, refugees + stateless persons
“In Australia, if you have a pet, you take your pet out at least once a week. I haven’t had an excursion in the two years I’ve been in detention ... I don’t even know what Australians look like.” -
Rights and Freedoms
20 January 2023Opinion piece
Australia needs to deliver on our treaty promises
As with any agreement, there are certain requirements that OPCAT signatories need to fulfill, and Australia has been given longer than any other country to meet our OPCAT commitments. Today – 20 January 2023 – is our extended compliance deadline, and Australia has failed to deliver on our promises. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 July 2013Webpage
Speeches, events and media about immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees
Discover a history of speeches, events and media about immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees at the Human Rights Commission. -
Legal
17 May 2023SpeechAccess to justice
Your Honours, distinguished guests: I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, the Wurrindjeri people of the Kulin nation and pay my respects to their elders, especially to those elders present today. May also thank our host the Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg and the ICJ for inviting me to this, the ninth Community Opening of the Legal Year. Together we celebrate the partnership of the… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
Human rights issues for young refugees and asylum seekers
The globalisation of the world economy, including much improved communication and transportation, has increased flows of people across borders. This includes the movement of children, both with their family and unaccompanied. Separated children crossing borders may be refugees, humanitarian asylum seekers, trafficked girls who will be forced to work as prostitutes, or simply children lost in… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
30 March 2017Publication
Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Human Rights: Snapshot Report (2nd Edition) 2017
The second edition of this Report provides an update on legal and policy developments related to refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia since 2013. The Report is not intended to address all the issues facing refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. Instead, it focuses on developments which place Australia at risk of breaching its international human rights obligations