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Disability Rights
20 September 2022SpeechAustralia's Disability Strategy, Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The compartmentalisation of disability policy has meant people with disability, or their representatives, are often expected to have the information and evidence to justify policy change and even when they do make their case, they need multiple levels and areas of government to support them. -
Rights and Freedoms
29 June 2021News story
Who will you nominate for a 2021 Human Rights Award?
Jasmine Cavanagh, a young woman from the Northern Territory community of Santa Teresa pursued ground-breaking legal action to hold the NT Government responsible for the poor state of housing in her community. In 2019, Ms Cavanagh’s change-making work was recognised with a Human Rights Award. Ms Cavanagh is one of many individuals and organisations who have been recognised, acknowledged, and ... -
Rights and Freedoms
17 June 2022Speech
Reflections on women and human rights
Thank you to the Lyceum Club for inviting me to speak, and to Christine Yeats and Judith White for your warm introduction. I recall that for my late mother, Dr Amy McGrath OAM, the revival of the Sydney Lyceum Club was very special. In sorting through papers of my parents, following the passing of my father, the Hon Dr Frank McGrath AM OBE, I found mother’s Lyceum Club card, membership number 101 ... -
Technology and Human Rights
16 December 2019Publication
Discussion Paper: Human Rights and Technology
Learn more about protecting and promoting human rights from the risks of AI, to better develop and deploy ethical AI. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012WebpageTaking 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. -
Rights and Freedoms
22 November 2021News story
Lorraine Finlay commences term as Human Rights Commissioner
Lorraine Finlay has commenced her term as Human Rights Commissioner. Commissioner Finlay, whose appointment was announced in September, said she was looking forward to working to protect and promote human rights and freedoms with her colleagues at the Australian Human Rights Commission. -
Commission – General
19 September 2023News story
Opportunities to lead Australia’s human rights work
The Attorney-General’s Department is seeking expressions of interest from human rights leaders and experts for two key roles at the Commission – President, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. The current position holders President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM and Commissioner June Oscar AO will end their tenures in July and April 2024 respectively. The ... -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Webpage
Pathways to Resolution: The conciliation process of the Australian Human Rights Commission
One of the Commission's main roles is to try to resolve complaints made under federal human rights and discrimination law through a process called 'conciliation' -
14 December 2012Book page
DIAC Response to the 2011 Australian Human Rights Commission Statement on Immigration Detention in Villawood
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) public statement on Immigration Detention at Villawood. -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media Release
Statement by Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow
“The Commission will consider the Religious Freedom Review, and any proposals for reform, once the report is officially released. “Any law reform proposal must protect the rights of everyone in Australia. “The Commission made six recommendations to the Review. In addition to better public education on freedom of religion, the Commission called for federal law to prohibit discrimination on the ... -
Technology and Human Rights
19 December 2023Speech
Human Rights in AI-powered Immersive Worlds
Read Commissioner Finlay's speech at Metaverse Safety Week 2023 about the importance of human rights and technology. -
Technology and Human Rights
1 June 2023News story
Protecting your Human Rights in the Digital Age
Learn more about the Australian Human Rights Commission's work on privacy, AI, misleading content and human rights in the digital age. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageAustralian Human Rights Commission Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Immigration Detention Network (2011)
The Australian Government should implement reforms it announced in 2008 under which immigration detention is to be used as a last resort and for the shortest practicable period, people are to be detained in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual circumstances, and there is a presumption that people will be permitted to reside in the community unless they pose an unacceptable risk. -
14 December 2012Book page
Highlights of the year - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
On 5 November 2009 we hosted the Australian and New Zealand Race Relations Roundtable 2009, highlighting the human rights of international students as a major issue. During the year under review, we directly engaged with over 700 international students and student representatives to identify key human rights issues, participated in numerous government and academic forums focusing on international student safety and we are currently leading the development of a draft International Student Compact. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
7 December 2023Opinion pieceHasty 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. -
Rights and Freedoms
30 March 2019Speech
‘Free and Equal’: Making Human Rights Education a Priority
National FutureSchools Expo and Conferences 21 March 2019, Melbourne Introduction I pay my respects to the Wurudjeri peoples of the Kulin nation who are the traditional custodians of this land—to their elders, past and present, and to the future generations, the children and young people that look to us as educators. I also extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ... -
Commission – General
17 August 2021News story
Commission statement on Afghanistan
The Australian Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the unfolding situation in Afghanistan and the critical human rights threat to the Afghan people, and in particular Afghan women and girls, from the resurgence of Taliban control of the country. -
Rights and Freedoms
30 April 2013Webpage
Right to self determination
Back to Rights and Freedoms: right by right Article 1 of both Covenants | A right of peoples rather than individuals | Self determination and the Australian people | Self determination and Australia's first peoples | International scrutiny | More information | Comments Article 1 of both Covenants The right to self-determination is contained in article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Highlights of the year - Annual Report 2011-2012: Australian Human Rights Commission
During 2011-12, we provided information about the law and the complaint process to 17,047 enquirers. We received 2610 complaints alleging discrimination and violations of human rights and we finalised 2605 complaints. We conciliated 48% of finalised complaints, which means that we assisted over 2500 people and organisations involved in complaints to successfully resolve their dispute. -
Commission – General
5 September 2021Webpage
Human Rights Commissioner, Ms Lorraine Finlay
Learn about Lorraine Finlay, who commenced as Human Rights Commissioner in 2021 after working as a lawyer and academic specialising in human rights.