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Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
Winners announced - 2018 Human Rights Awards
The Honourable Justice Peter McClellan AM and Chrissie Foster have won the prestigious 2018 Human Rights Medal for their enormous contribution to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Chrissie Foster has long campaigned for justice for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and Justice McClellan led the five-year Royal Commission. Accepting the Medal… -
Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
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 ensure any impact on our human rights is proportionate to the relevant risks,” said… -
Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
President announces National Summit on Human Rights
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM will today announce plans for a National Summit on Human Rights. Professor Croucher will announce the National Summit at the 2018 Human Rights Awards at Sydney’s Westin Hotel. “The National Summit, to be held mid-2019, will promote awareness of the importance of human rights in 21st century… -
Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
Religious Freedom announcement
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the release of the Religious Freedom Review. The Commission looks forward to assessing any legislative proposals when they are released in order to ensure that they appropriately balance human rights. “It is critical that any new laws do not create new forms of discrimination.” “Australia must protect the rights of all people, including… -
Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
Modern Slavery and Beyond
As the Federal Senate debates the Modern Slavery Bill this week, the 2018 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights takes place in Sydney today with modern slavery prevention as the key theme. It’s the fifth time the Global Compact Network Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission have joined forces to address the ongoing challenges facing business, government, civil… -
Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
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 Rosalind Croucher. Accessing legal services remains a major hurdle for disadvantaged… -
Rights and Freedoms17 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… -
Rights and Freedoms24 October 2018Teachers Article
An Introduction to Human Rights and Responsibilities
Explore the resource An Introduction to Human Rights and Responsibilities, which offers interactive lessons and resources for teaching Years 5-6 students about human rights. Designed for use with interactive whiteboards and other internet-enabled devices, the materials include lesson plans, homework activities, and are aligned with the Australian Curriculum for Humanities and Social Sciences. The… -
Rights and Freedoms24 October 2018Teachers Article
The Story of Our Rights and Freedoms
Explore resources designed to assist school students in understanding human rights and responsibilities and then apply human rights in everyday life. -
Rights and Freedoms19 September 2018Webpage
Rights and Freedoms
Learn how the Commission works to protect the right of all Australians to be treated with dignity and value as it lies at the foundation of human rights. -
Rights and Freedoms19 June 2018Publication
OPCAT in Australia. Consultation Paper: Stage 2
In this second stage of consultation with civil society, the Commission invites comments on the proposals set out in the Interim Report, as well as a further set of questions regarding how OPCAT should be implemented in Australia. The two stages of the Commission’s consultation are intended to be complementary -
Rights and Freedoms12 December 2017Speech
Human Rights Awards 2017
Acknowledgments Thank you, Aunty Norma Ingram, for your very warm welcome to country. The Australian Human Rights Commission is honoured to be here today on the ancestral lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. I pay my respects to elders past, present and future and warmly welcome any Indigenous guests attending today. Attorney-General and other very distinguished guests,… -
Rights and Freedoms26 October 2017Speech
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 my presentation by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land, and pay my respect… -
Rights and Freedoms20 October 2017Speech
Research by Government Reform Bodies involving Vulnerable People and Populations
Ethics Training Day: Dealing with Vulnerability Princeton Room, Bond University, 14 University Drive, Robina, Qld CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Introduction I represent an organisation that works extensively with people who can be part of “vulnerable populations”. My background is as a human rights lawyer. While human rights and human ethics are not the same thing, there are some important cross… -
Rights and Freedoms29 September 2017Speech
Religion and Human Rights in Modern Australia: Friends, Foes or Ships in the Night?
Western Sydney Open Forum CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Acknowledgements • Traditional Aboriginal owners: the Darug Nation • Dr Sev Ozdowski AM If you’ve read the papers or seen the news in the last few weeks, you might be forgiven for thinking that human rights are somehow radically incompatible with religion, or at least with ‘religious freedom’. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact,… -
Rights and Freedoms4 August 2017Webpage
Submissions to OPCAT in Australia Consultation 2017
Submissions - OPCAT Civil Society Consultation Submissions received by the Australian Human Rights Commission in response to the guideline questions its OPCAT in Australia Consultation Paper (2017) available here. You can follow the progress of our consultations at our OPCAT Consultation Page. Submissions from organisations and individuals Where a submission is not available it is either -
Rights and Freedoms27 July 2017Speech
Religion and Rights in a Diverse, Multicultural Community
Lecture Theatre 9, University of Tasmania, Newnham Campus, Newnham Drive, Launceston CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Acknowledgements Traditional owners: Panninher and the Leterrermairrener People. Moderator: Professor Richard Eccleston, Director of the Institute for the Study of Social Change, University of Tasmania. Panellists: Rodney Croome AM, Very Reverend Richard Humphrey (Dean of St David’s -
Rights and Freedoms14 June 2017Speech
Sydney Town Hall: Australians of the Year 2017
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Sydney Town Hall: Australians of the Year 2017 It is wonderful to see so many of you here tonight to celebrate these four great Australians of the year and to learn about their vision for human rights in the future. Thank you to the Australia Day Council for the chance to speak to you all … for this is my last public speech before stepping down as President of the AHRC… -
Rights and Freedoms5 June 2017Speech
Victorian Parliament Iftar Dinner
Remarks of Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner to the 12th Annual Victorian Parliament Iftar Dinner CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Acknowledgements Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation; Ahmet Keskin, Executive Director, Australian Intercultural Society; Sarah Abo, SBS World News, for that kind introduction; Distinguished members of parliament and others. Introduction I’ve been worrying a lot… -
Rights and Freedoms18 May 2017Publication
OPCAT in Australia Consultation Paper (2017)
Review the OPCAT Australia Consultation Paper 2017, which discusses the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.