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Rights and Freedoms

Encryption law falls short on rights safeguards

Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow warns significant threats to human rights remain despite some improvements to Australia’s encryption law. “Police and security agencies must be equipped with robust powers to protect our national security. However, these powers need independent oversight, to...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

The Ongoing Legacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

9th International Conference on Human Rights Education—Unleashing the Full Potential of Civil Society Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission 27 November 2018 [ Professor Croucher spoke to this paper. Some sections were not addressed fully, given the...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

A somewhat invisible world and extraordinary contributions of the AHRC

NSW Claims Discussion Group Inc 23 November 2018 [Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Introduction Thank you, Dr Tim Channon, for inviting me to present this lunchtime address. I, too, pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Echoes of breaking glass: reflections on Kristallnacht

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY We know the basic facts of Kristallnacht. On the 9th and 10th of November 1938, mobs attacked Jews in Germany and neighbouring states. They did so freely; without restraint. Many Jews were killed, many more were injured, and many more than that were arrested and sent to...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Human rights in the 21st century

Human rights in the 21st century—Reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Australian Council for International Development National Conference Human Rights in the 21st Century—People. Planet. Peace. Opening Address 30 October 2018 UNSW, Sydney by Emeritus...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Finalists announced – 2018 Human Rights Law Award

The five finalists for the 2018 Human Rights Awards’ Law Award have been selected, with two from Western Australia competing for the prize. “We have received the highest number of entries for the Law Award since the Human Rights Awards the awards began in 1987,” said Commission President, Professor...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

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...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

Human Rights are not a foreign language

Human Rights are not a foreign language—reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission [∗] University of Adelaide Faculty of Law Tuesday 4 September 2018 Acknowledgement I would...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

The role of the Australian Human Rights Commission

The role of the Australian Human Rights Commission as the national human rights body in promoting and protecting rights Freedom18—the limits of religious freedom NSW Parliament House 23 May 2018 [ Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Introduction I begin my presentation by acknowledging the...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Australia ratifies major anti-torture treaty OPCAT

Today Australia has taken the final step necessary to ratify and implement a major international treaty that combats torture and other forms of mistreatment. This is an opportunity to protect the rights of people who are detained in Australia for generations to come. The Australian Human Rights...

Category, News
LGBTIQ+

Human rights landmark as Australia legalises marriage equality

Parliament has today legislated for a fairer and more equal Australia by legalising marriage equality. “On this historic day, Australia joins over two dozen countries around the world in legislating for marriage equality,” said Australian Human Rights Commission President, Emeritus Professor...

Category, News
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Commission calls for calm on Manus Island

Australian Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow is calling on the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea to honour their international human rights obligations and avoid use of force on Manus Island. The Australian Human Rights Commission has been monitoring the situation as it develops...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

National Human Rights Commissions — what’s the point?

International Bar Association Section on Public and Professional Interests 12 October 2017 Sydney by Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission [ Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Acknowledgements As the Head of an Australian Government agency I begin...

Category, Speech
Commission – General

Respect is essential to debates in civilised Australia society

We can all have our say within the bounds of law Respect is the essence of a civil society. It is the cornerstone of human rights - the "active voice" of dignity that links all the international conventions to which Australia has committed. Respect is tolerance. It is a fundamental basis of our...

Category, Opinion

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