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Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion pieceHuman Rights and the War against Terrorism (2003)
"A system of tyranny, the most galling, the most horrible, the most undisguised in all its parts and attributes that has stained the page of history or disgraced the annals of the world." British Prime Minister William Pitt, 10 November 1797, speech to the House of Commons concerning France under the government of the Directory. -
14 December 2012Book page
Human Rights Act - Constitutional validity of an Australian Human Rights Act
On 22 April 2009 the Australian Human Rights Commission convened a meeting of Australian constitutional and human rights lawyers to discuss the constitutional implications of an Australian Human Rights Act. This statement records the consensus reached by those at the meeting. Their names are listed below. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Opinion Pieces - Scrutinising our counter-terrorism laws (2008)
In 2006, I was a member of the Government-appointed Sheller Committee, which recommended the establishment of an independent review of counter-terrorism laws. -
Employers11 February 2015Webpage
A step-by-step guide to preventing discrimination in recruitment
Learn how to prevent discrimination in recruitment with this step-by-step guide. -
Commission – General
11 April 2013ProjectWhat is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines fundamental rights and freedoms for all. Learn more about its impact and significance. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 October 2014Opinion piece
Speak up out of respect for rights and culture
To advance human rights we need to promote a culture of respect for everyone exercising their choice and freedoms. On a day-to-day basis, human rights probably appear abstract for most Australians. The term often gets raised in discussion about how we are treating asylum seekers, or when we discuss disadvantage in the community. It is common for people to say "I have a right to" one thing,… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
8 October 2014Opinion pieceKeeping asylum seeker children in detention doesn't stop people smugglers - so why do it?
The former and current ministers for immigration and border security, Chris Bowen and Scott Morrison, agree on one thing: that asylum seeker children are not detained to deter people smuggling. Rather, it appears that patrol boats and naval frigates, commanded by a three star general, and a refusal to allow refugees to settle here, have reduced the number of boats reaching Australia. Why… -
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
Bringing them Home - Appendix 12
Indigenous Inquiry Commissioners Annette Peardon, Marjorie Thorpe, Dr Maryanne Bin Salik, Sadie Canning, Olive Knight, Kathy Mills, Anne Louis, Laurel Williams, Jackie Huggins, Josephine Ptero-David and Professor Marcia Langton and Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner John Briton assisted with hearings and in the development of the report and its recommendations. They provided strong… -
14 December 2012Book page
Woman of the World - What is CEDAW?
;Ultimately we have to be judged not by our highest ambitions and achievements, but by our ability to raise from the lowest level those whose needs that are greatest. That is the way I would like Australia, and every other country, to be judged in the United Nations." -
14 December 2012Book page
Highlights of the year - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
On 5 November 2009 we hosted the Australian and New Zealand Race Relations Roundtable 2009, highlighting the human rights of international students as a major issue. During the year under review, we directly engaged with over 700 international students and student representatives to identify key human rights issues, participated in numerous government and academic forums focusing on international… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Excerpt from the 2003 Mitchell Oration to be delivered by John von Doussa, QC (2003)
Plainly, there is no easy solution. There are millions of hearts to be warmed, and what works for some may have little influence on others. There must be many programs, operating on many levels and operating incrementally so as to touch the greatest possible number of people. -
14 December 2012Book page
Highlights of the year - Annual Report 2011-2012: Australian Human Rights Commission
During 2011-12, we provided information about the law and the complaint process to 17,047 enquirers. We received 2610 complaints alleging discrimination and violations of human rights and we finalised 2605 complaints. We conciliated 48% of finalised complaints, which means that we assisted over 2500 people and organisations involved in complaints to successfully resolve their dispute. -
14 December 2012Book page
Indigenous Deaths in Custody: Chapter 6 Police Practices
Explore a report prepared for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in relation to Indigenous deaths in custody and police practices. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Federal Anti-discrimination Law - 2004
In May last year I stepped down from my position as a Judge of the Federal Court to accept the role as President of HREOC. It has been a time of new challenges, such as the need to balance the legislative and administrative responsibilities that the Commission has been given by the federal government, with the important role of advocating for the rights of those on the margins of Australian… -
14 December 2012Book page
2008 Face the Facts - Chapter 2
In 2007-08, the number of new migrants who settled permanently in Australia was 205 940.[78] The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines ‘settled permanently’ as: -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechHot Topics
Can I also acknowledge Blake Dawson Waldron lawyers for providing the venue and facilities, and the NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Service for their initiative in organising this forum. -
Rights and Freedoms
22 January 2014Opinion piece
Freedoms versus anti-discrimination laws? A false debate
Responsibility, anti-discrimination laws, human rights and freedoms - these words have been at the center of an ideological debate about how to protect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom from detention without trial. But if we are serious about securing these fundamental freedoms in Australian law, we must legislate to protect them, just as… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
Doctor of Social Science Honoris Causa Acceptance: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM
I accept with gratitude the honorary doctorate bestowed upon me by the RMIT University - a great University established in 1881 to serve Melbourne's "working men". -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
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First of all I'd like to thank you all for coming to here today. It is timely that we meet the day before Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations arrives in Australia. It is from the United Nations that the international obligations we are discussing today are sourced.