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Disability Rights26 September 2023Media Release
Commissioners ‘appalled’ following Four Corners episode on abusive disability ‘therapy’
Two of Australia’s human rights leaders have expressed grave concerns in the wake of shocking videos broadcast on ABC’s Four Corners program, which showed children with intellectual disabilities being repeatedly restrained as part of a radical treatment funded by the NDIS. The episode highlighted the controversial and abusive practices at Irabina Autism Services in Melbourne, between 2019-2021 ... -
Rights and Freedoms17 October 2022Media Release
New report aims to help fast-track Australia’s OPCAT implementation process
A new report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission outlines activities required to expedite Australia’s sluggish approach to implementing the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Informed by the Commission’s recent National OPCAT Symposium, the Road Map to OPCAT Compliance ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice28 November 2022Media Release
New report sets the stage for First Nations women to lead response to family and community violence
The report is an outcome of the recent Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Women's Safety Policy Forum which was held virtually in September and which brought together over 150 participants from all around the country, the majority being First Nations women. -
Children's Rights4 August 2022Media Release
National day spotlights culture and rights of First Nations children
Celebrating and showcasing the lives of First Nations children is the focus of today’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. With the theme this year of ‘My Dreaming, My Future’, the day also provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on how Australians can work together to improve a range of health, social and human rights outcomes for young First Nations people ... -
Rights and Freedoms20 May 2024Media Release
All-star Vivid show pits leading thinkers against a dystopian future to give festivalgoers the time of their rights
Waleed Aly, Michael Kirby, Jennifer Robinson, Adam Spencer and Nazeem Hussain are part of a unique and compelling show during the upcoming Vivid Sydney festival which will explore how an Australian Human Rights Act could help stop rights going wrong in the future. Part of the Vivid Ideas program, Rights On Time puts a fresh spin on the panel format by locating Nazeem Hussain in a hypothetical 2034 ... -
Age Discrimination5 February 2024News story
Commission welcomes new Age Discrimination Commissioner
Find out about the newly appointed Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM. A respected lawyer and leading figure in the anti-discrimination space. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice15 March 2023Media Release
Commission opens registrations for landmark summit of First Nations women
This historic event is set to inform a range of new approaches for advancing the rights, health, safety, wellbeing and economic opportunities of First Nations women and girls. -
Commission – General23 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 face ... -
Race Discrimination10 March 2023Media Release
Commissioner calls for coordinated response to address spectator racism
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan said the reported racial abuse directed at NRL player Latrell Mitchell demonstrates the need for professional sports organisations, including clubs and codes, to work together to address spectator racism. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees9 November 2023Media Release
Commission commends High Court ruling on indefinite immigration detention
The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed yesterday’s High Court ruling which determined that Australia’s system of indefinite immigration detention is unlawful. The landmark decision overturns almost two decades of the practice by Australian authorities in finding it is unlawful to hold a person in immigration detention when there is no real prospect of them being removed from Australia ... -
Commission – General1 August 2022Media Release
Commission urges passage of new Bill to strengthen integrity
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all federal parliamentarians to support the passage of the new Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022. Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, has welcomed the introduction to Parliament of the new Bill by Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, last week. The Bill ... -
Commission – General6 March 2024Media Release
The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and addressing the impacts in our communities
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered a powerful statement last week raising the urgency of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The war in Gaza must end. Clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws, including war crimes and possibly other crimes under international law, have been committed by all parties. It is time – well past time – ... -
Children's Rights5 September 2022Media Release
Ongoing juvenile detention crisis a failure of basic support for kids and families
Commissioner Hollonds said vulnerable children and their families have been let down by federal, state and territory governments for decades with key recommendations from various inquiries and Royal Commissions going unimplemented. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice13 September 2022Media Release
First Nations women to take leading role in addressing family and community violence
An important gathering of First Nations women – including specialist experts, researchers, frontline workers and women with lived experience of violence – has called on governments across Australia to ensure First Nations women lead all future efforts to prevent violence against First Nations women and children. On Monday the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Safety Policy Forum was held online, with ... -
Race Discrimination4 March 2024Media Release
Giridharan Sivaraman commences as Race Discrimination Commissioner
Australia’s new Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, said a united approach to anti-racism was essential if our society is to better address and ultimately dismantle systemic racial discrimination in all its forms. Commissioner Sivaraman, who commenced in the role today, said his immediate priority will be to progress a National Anti-Racism Framework as a central reference point ... -
Age Discrimination28 March 2024News story
Robert Fitzgerald commences as Age Discrimination Commissioner
Find out about the Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM’s immediate and long-term priorities to eliminate ageism and age discrimination. -
Rights and Freedoms24 October 2022Media Release
Human Rights Commission calls for urgent action to address fallout from suspension of UN SPT visit
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all Australian state and territory governments to fully commit to implementing an important human rights framework for people held in detention settings following the suspension of a tour of Australia by United Nations inspectors. A delegation from the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (UN SPT) has been in Australia since last week to ... -
Rights and Freedoms9 March 2023Media Release
Commission launches model for an Australian Human Rights Act
Australia is the only liberal democracy that does not have an act or charter of rights at the national level, and there are currently very few legal protections for the fundamental rights of Australians. -
Children's Rights28 July 2020Media Release
Commission welcomes new Children’s Commissioner
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Ms Anne Hollonds to the role of the National Children’s Commissioner. “I am delighted by the appointment of Ms Hollonds to the Australian Human Rights Commission,” said Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM. “On behalf of the Commissioners and staff I warmly welcome Ms Hollonds. She is one of Australia’s ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice30 March 2023Media Release
Commission Welcomes Constitutional Alteration Bill
View a statement by Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.