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14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 2: Constitutional reform: Creating a nation for all of us - Social Justice Report 2010
A century ago, the Australian people engaged in a debate about creating a nation. They held meetings...They wrote articles and letters in newspapers. Many views were canvassed and voices were heard. The separate colonies, having divided up the land between them, discussed ways of sharing powers in order to achieve a vision of a united Australia. The result was the Australian Constitution, establishing the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. -
14 December 2012Book page
Questions and Answers About Refugees & Asylum Seekers
According to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (also called the Refugee Convention), a refugee is someone who is outside their own country and cannot return due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of their: -
3 January 2014Book page
2 Background and framework for promotion and protection of human rights
2.1 Scope of international obligations During Australia’s review, the Government made a commitment to improving Australia’s monitoring of its international human rights obligations. Australia is a party to seven of the core human rights treaties and maintains a number of reservations under these. The Australian Government made a commitment to conduct a comprehensive review of such reservations by ... -
Legal
3 July 2019WebpageFreedom of Information disclosure log
The Australian Human Rights Commission is required by section 11C of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to publish a disclosure log on its website. The disclosure log lists information which has been released in response to an FOI access request. This requirement has applied since 1 May 2011. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
National Human Rights Consultation
Learn how Australia has committed to a greater emphasis on human rights education under the World Program for Human Rights Education. -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 06-07: Chapter 6 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
I have spent a lot of time this past year convincing people from all walks of life that the challenges facing Indigenous peoples in this country are not insurmountable. -
Rights and Freedoms
18 May 2017PublicationOPCAT 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
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
This submission draws substantially on research papers by Eileen Pittaway and Linda Bartolomei which are currently pending publication. The content of this submission may not be reproduced or quoted without the written permission of these authors. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 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. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Northern Territory National Emergency Response Legislation
Central to the values to which the Government gives expression is an unqualified commitment to racial equality and to eliminating racial discrimination. This is a non-negotiable tenet of our own national cohesion, reflected in our racial diversity, and it must remain a guiding principle of our international behaviour. The rejection of racial discrimination is not only a moral issue, it is fundamental to our acceptance by, and engagement with, the region where our vital security and economic interests lie. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – List of issues prior to reporting
This submission is made by the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia’s national human rights institution. It outlines a number of issues that the Commission suggests should be considered by the Human Rights Committee as it develops a List of Issues Prior to Reporting ahead of Australia’s preparation of its sixth periodic report regarding the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). -
Rights and Freedoms
11 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 ... -
28 October 2013Book page
2 Onshore detention and processing
2.1 Mandatory immigration detention It is mandatory under the Migration Act for every non-citizen who is in Australia without a valid visa to be detained, regardless of his or her individual circumstances. [24] Once detained, unlawful non-citizens must remain in detention until they are either granted a visa or removed from Australia. [25] The majority of unlawful non-citizens are detained in ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2010: Chapter 3: Consultation, cooperation, and free, prior and informed consent: The elements of meaningful and effective engagement
On 3 April 2009, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Minister for Indigenous Affairs) delivered a formal statement in support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Declaration).[1] In this statement, the Minister acknowledged that ‘[w]e need to find more ways of hearing Indigenous voices’.[2] -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012WebpageIndigenous International Rights: UN mechanisms for the recognition of Indigenous rights
UN forums and mechanisms for the recognition of indigenous human rights and International human rights standards of particular relevance to indigenous peoples -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Social Justice Report 2002: Chapter 3 - National progress towards reconcilation in 2002 - an equitable partnership?
a) A minimalist response to symbolic issues b) The perceived divisiveness of self-determination c) An emphasis on perceived areas of agreement d) Misrepresenting progress towards practical reconciliation -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Consultation on exposure draft National Human Rights Action Plan
The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Attorney-General’s Department on the exposure draft of a new Human Rights National Action Plan which the Department has issued for comment. -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 1: Towards a reconciled Australia: An agenda of hope - Social Justice Report 2010
I could tell you of heartbreak, hatred blind I could tell of crimes that shame mankind Of brutal wrongs and deeds malign Of rape and murder son of mine -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2003: Chapter 5: Addressing family violence in Indigenous communities
back to contents Chapter 5: Addressing family violence in Indigenous communities There is no issue currently causing more destruction to the fabric of Indigenous communities than family violence. This has been acknowledged by all levels of government in recent years, with a number of significant inquiries and initiatives undertaken or commenced at the federal, state and territory level to address its impact. The intensive scrutiny and public awareness of this issue has not, however, led to sufficient commitments of resources and effort to date.