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Asylum Seekers and Refugees5 May 2021Media Release
Media Statement: Federal Court improves pathways to protection for more than a thousand asylum seekers taken to Ashmore reef
More than 1,000 asylum seekers have a greater ability to apply for protection in Australia following a landmark judgment by the Federal Court on Tuesday . “When a person seeks asylum in Australia, it’s vital that their application be processed quickly, fairly and transparently. This judgment will remove administrative barriers for a vulnerable group of people who have been waiting too long to have ... -
12 February 2013Book page
3 Promotion and protection of human rights on the ground
3.1 Equality before the law and non-discrimination A prominent theme throughout Australia’s UPR was the unacceptable level of disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples , with 50 of the countries that spoke during the interactive dialogue referring to issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. [15] Since its appearance the Australian Government ... -
15 July 2014Book page
Chapter 1: How far have we come? Looking back on 20 years of the Social Justice Commissioner role
1.1 Introduction This year marks 20 years since the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (Social Justice Commissioner) role under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth). When I first started in this position I was asked if any of the previous Commissioners had left any words or notes of advice. I answered them ‘no, but they all left ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2005 : Annexure 4 : Chronology of events in native title 1 July 2004 - 30 June 2005
This table includes summaries of every native title determination that occurred during this period, and notable or interesting agreements; it does not include every Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) registered or other native title agreements made over this period, due to the large volume. A snapshot of applications, determinations and ILUAs from this period is provided at the end of this table. -
14 December 2012Book page
Privacy - National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
(1) For the purpose of the performance of its functions, the Commission may make an examination or hold an inquiry in such manner as it thinks fit and, in informing itself in the course of an examination or inquiry, is not bound by the rules of evidence. -
Legal14 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 -
14 December 2012Book page
2010 Immigration detention on Christmas Island
This report contains a summary of observations made by the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) during its 2010 visit to the immigration detention facilities on Christmas Island. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
Article 3(1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides that a child's best interests are to be a primary consideration in all actions concerning them. The Australian system, whereby the guardian of unaccompanied child asylum seekers is the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, rather than an authoritative, independent statutory body, does not ensure that the requirements of article 3(1) are met. -
14 December 2012Book page
Report of the National Inquiry into Pregnancy and Work - HREOC assessment of Government Responses to Recommendations
Recommendation 1: That the Attorney-General amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) to empower HREOC to publish enforceable standards in relation to pregnancy and potential pregnancy. -
Rights and Freedoms1 May 2013Publication
Human rights issues raised by the third country processing regime
The Commission recognises the importance of effective border management and recognises that Australia has a right as a sovereign State to exclude non-citizens from its territory. However, Australia also has international obligations in relation to asylum seekers who come here, including those who arrive by boat, which must be observed in its border management practices. This paper provides a brief outline of the recent changes and highlights the key human rights concerns raised by the third country processing regime. -
Age Discrimination12 November 2015Project
Elder abuse
Elder abuse can take various forms, including: financial, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse, or neglect. No older person should be subjected to any form of abuse. -
14 December 2012Book page
Introduction - Social Justice Report 2010
It is with great pleasure that I present my first Social Justice Report (the Report) as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, having commenced my five-year term on 1 February 2010. -
14 December 2012Book page
Ismaع - Listen: Strategies Document
As part of the Ismaع project, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (the Commission) investigated existing initiatives that address anti-Arab or anti-Muslim prejudice at a local, state and federal level across Australia. We conducted research and requested information about current initiatives from seven federal government agencies, 37 state and territory government agencies (including education and police authorities), 83 local governments (mostly in areas with substantial Arab or Muslim populations) and 14 non-government and community organisations. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Webpage
Inquiry into the Disability Discrimination Amendment (Education Standards) Bill 2004
1. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission supports passage of the Disability Discrimination Amendment (Education Standards) Bill without delay, and the approval of Disability Standards for Education as soon as practicable thereafter. -
31 January 2013Webpage
2009 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
Since 1987, the Australian Human Rights Commission has recognised the often extraordinary contribution to Australian society of a wide variety of men and women committed to issues of human rights, social justice and equality through the annual Human Rights Medals and Awards. Each year we receive outstanding nominations for the Human Rights Medal, Young People’s Human Rights Medal and seven award ... -
Rights and Freedoms18 May 2017Publication
OPCAT in Australia Consultation Paper (2017)
OPCAT in Australia Consultation Paper MAY 2017 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 What is OPCAT? 2.1 National Preventive Mechanism 2.2 Sub-committee on the Prevention of Torture 3 The NPM model 4 Key issues for consideration 4.1 Stocktake of places of detention 4.2 Definitional issues – what does OPCAT cover? 4.3 Progressive implementation of OPCAT 4.4 Scope of the role of the NPM 4.5 Coordination ... -
31 January 2013Webpage
2008 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
Since 1987, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now known as the Australian Human Rights Commission) has recognised the often extraordinary contribution to Australian society of a wide variety of men and women committed to issues of human rights, social justice and equality through the annual Human Rights Medal and Awards. Each year we receive outstanding nominations for the Human ... -
14 December 2012Book page
4. Australia's Human Rights Obligations
The purpose of this chapter is to explain the relevance of international human rights law to children in Australia's immigration detention centres and to provide a quick reference point on the fundamental human rights principles that have influenced the approach of this Inquiry. This chapter also explains the role of United Nations (UN) guidelines in the Inquiry's analysis of Australia's human rights treaty obligations. -
Rights and Freedoms11 April 2013Project
Right to vote
The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18 years old have the right – and the obligation – to vote, not all Australians enjoy that right as a ... -
Rights and Freedoms14 December 2012Publication
The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians
A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18 years old have the right – and the obligation – to vote, not all Australians enjoy that right as a practical matter.