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14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
The Council for Civil Liberties NSW (CCL) considers mandatory detention of asylum seekers to be a breach of Australia's international obligations. The CCL is of the view that mandatory detention of children is morally indefensible particularly given Australia's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC) -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 06-07: Chapter 2 - Human Rights Education and Promotion
A central function of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is to undertake education programs that increase public awareness and generate discussion of human rights and anti-discrimination issues within Australia. -
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. -
14 December 2012Book page
2008 Immigration detention report - Summary of Observations following the Inspection of Mainland Immigration Detention Facilities
This report contains a summary of observations by the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM, and staff of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) following visits to Australia’s immigration detention facilities, and to people in community detention, between June and September 2008. The contents of the report are based on direct observations made during the… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechHuman rights education: realising the vision of social justice
Speech by Catherine Branson, former president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, delivered as part of the Centre for Research in Education Annual Oration in 2011. -
Commission – General
13 May 2014Webpage
2012 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
Human Rights Medal Ian Thorpe OAM His exploits in the pool have made him a household name, but what is less known is that Ian Thorpe has spent more than a decade as a passionate advocate for Indigenous people and young Australians. His Fountain for Youth charity is working with twenty remote communities across the country. Thorpe has taken a hands-on role in his Fountain for Youth charity,… -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his [sic] dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognised by it. They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority; by flouting them, or refusing to recognise them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy … Catechism of the Catholic Church,… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Publication
Annual Report 2004-2005: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
The Annual Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for the period ending 30 June 2005 is produced pursuant to section 45 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999. -
14 December 2012Book page
DIAC Response to the 2010 Australian Human Rights Commission Report on Immigration Detention in Darwin (2010)
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Human Rights Commission (the AHRC) 2010 Public Statement on Immigration Detention in Darwin. -
Commission – General
23 October 2019Media Release
Media statement: Use of force in immigration detention
Fourteen complaints about the use of force in immigration detention form the basis for a comprehensive thematic report by the Australian Human Rights Commission tabled in Parliament today. The report considers the practices of handcuffing detainees, use of physical force within centres including arm and elbow locks, operations conducted by the Emergency Response Team (ERT), and the use of… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech"HUMAN RIGHTS: A REPORT CARD FOR AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA": DR SEV OZDOWSKI OAM (2004)
Firstly I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand and by so doing remind ourselves that Australia's cultural traditions stretch back many thousands of years. The acknowledgement also expresses our aspiration for a just and inclusive Australia for all. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Webpage
Taking stock of Australia’s human rights record – Submission by the Australian Human Rights Commission under the Universal Periodic Review process (2010)
This significant new process involves a review of the human rights record of each member of the UN on a periodic basis (at present, every four years). Australia makes its first appearance in January 2011. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageReview of Australia’s Fourth Periodic Report on the Implementation of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights
Recommendation 2: The Australian Government pass a federal Human Rights Act that includes recognition and protection of economic, social and cultural rights. -
Rights and Freedoms
10 December 2021Publication
Free and Equal: A reform agenda for federal discrimination laws (2021)
This Position Paper sets out the Australian Human Rights Commission’s proposals for reforming federal discrimination law in Australia. It forms part of the Commission’s Free and Equal project: A National conversation on human rights. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
21 October 2013Publication
Casenote: FKAG v Australia and MMM v Australia
The UN Human Rights Committee has found that the indefinite detention of 46 refugees with adverse security assessments was arbitrary and amounted to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
11 June 2014Webpage
Transcripts from the inquiry's public hearings
Public Hearing in Sydney, Tuesday, 9 September 2014 The fifth public hearing of the inquiry was held at the Australian Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, 9th September. The witness for this hearing was the Hon Chris Bowen MP, who was the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship from September 2010 until February 2013. Members of the public were able to attend at the Australian Human Rights … -
23 January 2014Book page
5. What does the Commission recommend?
The Commission recommends that all asylum seekers who are found to be owed protection obligations should be granted a PPV, with the associated entitlements to sponsor family members to come to Australia, and to travel outside of Australia. -
Commission – General
3 June 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)
Community update: COVID-19 (June 2020)
Commission News June 2020 Commissioner update COVID-19 Dear friends, The last few weeks have seen a gradual return to some of our pre-pandemic freedoms in many parts of Australia. While physical distancing remains a vital element to maintaining low infection rates, it is clear that we welcome the opportunity to visit loved ones, travel and socialise. The Lucky Country, a term used favourably… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Australia’s compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
A. Introduction B. The ratification of OPCAT. C. A new torture offence D. Treatment in Immigration Detention E. A system of complementary protection F. Mechanisms to check diplomatic assurances are honoured G. Engagement with the UN Treaty Body process -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 July 2013Webpage
Immigration detention reports and photos
Immigration detention reports: The reports below published by the Commission outline issues of concern arising from its visits to immigration detention facilities. 2018 Inspection of Adelaide Immigration Detention Centre Report (2018) - Dept. of Home Affairs response to Adelaide Immigration Detention Centre Inspection of Perth Immigration Detention Centre Report (2018) - Dept. of Home…