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Learn how under human rights law, Australians are free to adopt a religion of their choice, individually or in community with others.

The ICCPR safeguards freedom of expression and opinion, vital for democratic societies. Find out how legal restrictions apply.

Back to rights and freedoms: right by right ICCPR Article 14 states All persons shall be equal before the courts and tribunals. In the determination of any criminal charge against him, or of his rights and obligations in a suit at law, everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law. The Press and the public may be…

Learn how people can't be found guilty of a criminal offence that was not viewed as a criminal offence under the law at the time when it was committed.

Learn all about how people with a disability have the same rights as people who are living without a disability under Australian law.

Under article 18 of the ICCPR, any actions which fall within the four types of manifestation of belief (worship, observance, teaching and practice) can, in certain circumstances, be subject to limitation by the State. The freedom to manifest religion in sub-paragraph 18(1) is qualified by the limitations set out in sub-paragraph 18(3), including those which are ‘necessary to protect…the

Learn how under human rights law, all Australians have the right to humane treatment while in detention and that adults and children must be separated.

Learn how Australians could once be imprisoned on the grounds of not fulfilling a contract and how this is no longer the case.

Back to rights and freedoms:right by right Article 12 | International scrutiny | Resources | Comments Article 12 ICCPR Article 12 states: Everyone lawfully within the territory of a State shall, within that territory, have the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose his residence. Everyone shall be free to leave any country, including his own. The above-mentioned rights shall not…

Learn about how under international law, human rights are to be recognised for all individuals in Australia, including refugees and asylum seekers.

Learn how under human rights law, all Australians are entitled to an independent and impartial public hearing in all court and tribunal proceedings.

Education resources linked from this page were produced by the former Human Rights Commission established under the Human RIghts Commission Act 1981. This Commission ceased to exist in 1986 pursuant to a sunset clause in its legislation and was replaced by the current Commission. Resources linked here have been added to this site for historical and archival purposes and should not be assumed…

Learn how under human rights law, no person can be held under arbitrary arrest or detention, including persons in immigration detention.

Learn that under human rights law, no person shall be subjected to torture or subjected without free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.

Read about the Commission's work in relation to ending slavery, including any forced or compulsory labour, along with the slave trade.

Learn how under human rights legislation, women enjoy equal rights to men in all areas of life, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

Learn how human rights and freedoms are protected under Australian and international law and that there are limited situations where they can be infringed.

Human Rights Commission Occasional Paper no.14 November 1986 Contents Foreword (Word) or PDF Programme (Word) or PDF List of Participants (Word) or PDF OPENING Opening Address: Senator The Hon. Don Chipp (Word) or PDF An Outline of the Human Rights Commission's Research Project on the Right of Peaceful Protest: Robin Handley (Word) or PDF MEDIA REPORTING OF PROTEST ACTIVITY Media Reporting…

Back to rights and freedoms: Right by right Introduction | Commission work | International scrutiny | More information | Comments Introduction Article 6 of the ICCPR states: Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. In countries which have not abolished the death penalty, sentence of death may be …

Learn how the government may take measures that impact human rights in a national emergency, though not related to race, sex, religion or social origin.