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14 April 2015Book page
5 Nations - Self-determination and a new era of Indigenous governance
5.1 Introduction 5.2 The importance of Nations 5.3 Framework for Indigenous governance 5.4 Community governance: a Nation building approach 5.5 Australian accounts of successful nation building 5.6 Voices of Nations, not just national voices 5.7 Conclusions and recommendations 5.1 Introduction Since the beginning of my term as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner… -
14 April 2015Book page
6 Giving effect to the Declaration
6.1 Introduction 6.2 Steps taken by the Australian Government to implement the Declaration 6.3 Giving effect to the Declaration 6.4 Conclusion and recommendations 6.1 Introduction Throughout my term, I have continually emphasised the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [565] (the Declaration). The Declaration is the most comprehensive and advanced… -
14 April 2015Book page
4 Creating safe communities
4.1 Introduction 4.2 Justice reinvestment in Australia five years on 4.3 Justice targets 4.4 National Justice Coalition 4.5 Conclusion and recommendations 4.1 Introduction The overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as both victims and offenders in the criminal justice system remains one of the most glaring disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander… -
14 April 2015Book page
1 Social justice - Year in review
1.1 Introduction 1.2 Machinery of Government changes 1.3 The 2014 Budget 1.4 Leadership, representation and engagement 1.5 Constitutional recognition 1.6 Indigenous Jobs and Training Review 1.7 Closing the Gap 1.8 Stolen Generations 1.9 International developments 1.10 Australian Human Rights Commission complaints 1.11 Conclusion 1.1 Introduction At the beginning of this reporting period, we… -
13 April 2015Book page
Our work plan for 2014-15
Priority: Human rights education and promotion We work to build awareness of rights and freedoms across the community, encouraging a culture of respect and responsibility that values dignity. To make this a reality, the Commission creates a range of community engagement and human rights education programs to engage with a broad cross-section of the community. We use tools such as social… -
13 April 2015Book page
Our leadership team
The work of the Commission is led by a President and Commissioners: Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs President Mick Gooda Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Megan Mitchell National Children’s Commissioner The Hon Susan Ryan AO Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Tim Wilson Human Rights Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick Sex Discrimination Commissioner… -
13 April 2015Book page
Our Agenda
There is no simple way to solve complex human rights issues. From the challenges that face a person with a disability seeking independent living, through to immigration detention policy, the promotion of rights and freedoms must address issues for individuals as well as the need for broader, systemic change. The Commission uses a range of integrated approaches, while also focusing on… -
13 April 2015Book page
Who we are
The Australian Human Rights Commission is independent from government and established by legislation. We strive to resolve complaints, encourage positive law reform and build a shared awareness and recognition of freedoms and rights throughout Australia. We operate under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) as well as federal laws that seek to ensure freedom from… -
10 April 2015Book page
2 Background and framework for promotion and protection of human rights
2.1 Scope of international obligations 2.2 National framework 2.3 Equality before the law and non-discrimination 2.4 Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers 2.5 Right to life, liberty and security of the person 2.1 Scope of international obligations Australia prides itself on its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and has announced its candidacy for election to the… -
10 April 2015Book page
3 Key national priorities, initiatives and commitments
The Commission is an ‘A status’ national human rights institution established and operating in full compliance with the Paris Principles. The sufficiency of funding and staffing for the Commission was called into question during Australia’s UPR. ACHRA encourages the Australian Government, through the regular federal budget process, to ensure the Commission continues to operate as an… -
10 April 2015Book page
Appendix 1: Calendar of upcoming key UN treaty dates
Treaty Key dates Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) Australia appeared before the committee in November 2014 Next report due November 2018 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Next report due August 2018 Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) The report was due October 2012. A combined… -
10 April 2015Book page
Appendix 2: Implementation status of UPR recommendations
No Recommendation Response Implementation 1-4, 6 Ratify the OPCAT (Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan, Maldives, New Zealand, Denmark) Accepted Not implemented 3-5 Establish a National Preventative Mechanism (Maldives, New Zealand, Mexico) Accepted Not implemented 7 Accede to the remaining core human rights instruments to which it is yet to become a party (Thailand) Accepted-in-part Not… -
10 April 2015Book page
1 Introduction
This 2014 UPR Progress Report is the fourth in a series of annual reports developed in the lead up to Australia’s Second Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. [1] The second cycle review is tentatively scheduled for 9 November 2015. [2] The reports are lodged with the Human Rights Council annually to provide accountability for Australia’s… -
27 March 2015Book page
3 Key issues emerging from the consultation
Right to freedom of expression Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion Right to freedom of association Property rights The objective of Rights & Responsibilities 2014 was to actively seek and listen to people’s views across the country about how well their rights and freedoms are protected in Australia. This process provided an opportunity to identify systemic human rights… -
27 March 2015Book page
4 Additional issues emerging from the consultation
Right to freedom from arbitrary detention Euthanasia Charter of human rights Human rights education Exercising responsibilities and civil society action to advance human rights Additional human rights issues were raised during the consultation process that were outside the original scope of the consultation. However, given these issues were repeatedly raised across the country, it is… -
27 March 2015Book page
5 Next steps – future areas of work
Based on the outcomes of Rights & Responsibilities 2014, the Human Rights Commissioner will prioritise the following areas of work in relation to human rights over the next four years: Freedom of expression: the Commissioner will continue to explore potential reforms in relation to current laws that restrict the right to freedom of expression. Religious freedom: the Commissioner will… -
27 March 2015Book page
6 Appendix A – submissions
The Human Rights Commissioner received submissions from the following people and organisations. 1. Ken Grundy 2. Tim Walsh 3. Judith Sloan, The Australian 4. Rodney Crisp – The right to life and death 5. Freedom 4 Faith 6. Rodney Crisp – A national constitutionally-entrenched bill of rights 7. Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney 8. World Society of Victimology 9. Central Australian Women’s… -
27 March 2015Book page
7 Appendix B – public events and strategic meetings
The Human Rights Commissioner thanks the following people and organisations who met with him as part of this consultation. Kununurra, Halls Creek, Derby, Broome and One Arm Point: 17–24 August Ardyaloon Hatchery Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service Ian Trust, Executive Director Wunan Josie Farrer MLA Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre Marninwarntikwa Women’s Resource Centre… -
27 March 2015Book page
2 The consultation process
Rights & Responsibilities 2014 took place between August and December 2014. The process of consultation involved the following steps: Discussion paper A discussion paper, titled Rights & Responsibilities 2014, was released on 29 August 2014. [3] The paper set out the context of the consultation, including a brief overview of and questions about the rights to freedom of expression,… -
27 March 2015Book page
Executive summary
Rights & Responsibilities 2014 was a national consultation conducted by the Human Rights Commissioner between August and December 2014. The consultation examined how well people think their human rights and freedoms are protected in Australia. Altogether the Human Rights Commissioner consulted with over 1,100 people at public events and meetings as part of Rights & Responsibilities…