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11 February 2014Book page
Summary
Access to justice in the criminal justice system for people with disabilities who need communication supports or who have complex and multiple support needs (people with disabilities) is a significant problem in every jurisdiction in Australia. Whether a person with disability is the victim of a crime, accused of a crime or a witness, they are at increased risk of being disrespected and -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
10 February 2014PublicationClose the Gap - Progress and priorities report 2014
Since the first Australian Government report in 2009, the Campaign Steering Committee has provided an annual complementary 'shadow' report representing its assessment of progress, including against the COAG Closing the Gap Targets for health and life expectancy equality, and the commitments in the Close the Gap Statement of Intent. This is done in the spirit of an open and constructive dialogue… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
9 January 2014PublicationThose who've come across the seas: Detention of unauthorised arrivals
HREOC’s report, tabled in federal Parliament on 12 May 1998, deals with the policy of mandatory detention of most unauthorised arrivals and the conditions of detention for those detained. The report had its origins in the many complaints received by HREOC from, or on behalf of, people in immigration detention centres. -
8 January 2014Book page
Abbreviations and Acronyms
You can view a list of abbreviations and acronyms that are used by the Commission. The list makes it easier to understand our website and publications. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
11 October 2017Publication
Inspection of Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre
This report contains an overview of key observations and concerns arising from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inspection of the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre (MIDC) in March 2017. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
11 October 2017Publication
Inspection of Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Report (2017)
This report contains an overview of key observations and concerns arising from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inspection of the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation (MITA) detention facility in March 2017. -
LGBTIQ+
3 March 2016PublicationReport of the Human Rights Commissioner on certain provisions of the Tasmanian Criminal Code
BACKGROUND Two sections of the Tasmanian Criminal Code (Section 122 (a) and (c) and Section 123) criminalise some forms of sexual activity between males and females and all forms of sexual intercourse between males, including all forms of sexual intercourse and at least some expressions of sexual intimacy between consenting adult homosexual men in private. Male homosexual acts between consenting… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
4 February 2016Speech
New report reveal alarming impact of detention on children
[Check against delivery] Thank you for joining us today. Over a year ago, the Australian Human Rights Commission produced The Forgotten Children Report. This Report examined the impact of prolonged mandatory, indefinite immigration detention on the mental and physical heath of children. The findings were disturbing. In short, detention, whether on Christmas Island, Nauru or centres on the -
LGBTIQ+
29 January 2016Opinion piece
Genuine marriage equality is more than overdue
Imagine seeing the words "never married" on your new husband's death certificate. As if the grief of losing your husband while honeymooning wasn't traumatic enough. Marco Bulmer-Rizzi's husband, David, died after falling down stairs at a friend's place in Adelaide. Because South Australia doesn't recognise same-sex marriages from overseas, David's death certificate initially recorded him as … -
Age Discrimination
21 June 2013Opinion pieceMedia can help in the fight against age discrimination
Forgetful. Slow. Inactive. Inflexible. Technophobic. Prone to illness. Unable to learn new things. Bad drivers. Vulnerable. Grumpy. Isolated. Lonely. If I were to ask you which group of people these terms are often used to describe, I’m sure it would not take you long to arrive at ‘older’ people. Yet, think of the ‘older’ people you know, and you will most likely come to realize that most,… -
LGBTIQ+
18 June 2013Project
Marriage equality
The Australian Human Rights Commission considers that the fundamental human rights principle of equality means that civil marriage should be available, without discrimination, to all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Position Paper Marriage equality in a changing world Information Sheets This information sheet gives an overview of the religious exemptions to … -
Rights and Freedoms
18 May 2013WebpageThe collective aspect of freedom to manifest religion or belief
Article 18 of the ICCPR explicitly includes the freedom to manifest beliefs ‘in community with others’. As prominent human rights scholar Yoram Dinstein explains: ... freedom of religion, as an individual right, may be nullified unless complemented by a collective human right of the religious group to construct the infrastructure making possible the full enjoyment of that freedom by… -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Webpage
Right to humane treatment in detention
Learn how under human rights law, all Australians have the right to humane treatment while in detention and that adults and children must be separated. -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Webpage
Freedom from torture or cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment or punishment
Learn that under human rights law, no person shall be subjected to torture or subjected without free consent to medical or scientific experimentation. -
Commission – General
8 April 2013WebpageSubscribe to our mailing list
Join us in shaping a fairer Australia, where the rights of everyone are respected and upheld. Subscribe to our mailing list to join a community of human rights advocates, and stay in the loop about our: Reports, guidelines and resources Campaigns Events and training Media statements Career opportunities About us The Australian Human Rights Commission plays a unique role in protecting and… -
Legal
27 March 2013PublicationMinister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33
Summary: The Full Court of the Federal Court restrained the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship from removing the applicant asylum seeker to Afghanistan until his claims for protection have been assessed according to law. The Court held that the International Treaties Obligations Assessment was affected by jurisdictional error as the wrong legal test was applied and procedural fairness was… -
Rights and Freedoms
5 March 2013Opinion piece
Freedom of speech is not in danger in Australia (2013)
Freedom of speech is alive and well in Australia but, with respect to Voltaire, we will not defend to the death those who abuse this right by vilifying others in public on the ground of race. -
Commission – General
20 February 2013Webpage
Help for Small Business
These responsibilities are set out in a range of Commonwealth and state and territory anti-discrimination laws - the goal being to protect people from unlawful behaviour. -
31 January 2013Webpage
1989 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
The Human Rights Awards is given in recognition of the efforts of an Australian citizen or resident who, through personal endevours, has made a substantial contribution to the promotion and advancement of the rights of all people - regardless of their sex, race, colour, origin, age or disability - to live in a fair and just society in which they may reach their maximum potential. The 1989… -
Sex Discrimination
29 January 2013WebpageSubmissions for Phase Two: Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force
Written submissions sought in Phase Two related to the following aspects of the project Terms of Reference: The effectiveness of cultural change strategies recommended by the Chief of the Defence Force Women’s Reference Group in the Women’s Action Plan including the implementation of these strategies across the Australian Defence Force Measures and initiatives required to improve the…