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Asylum Seekers and Refugees
14 June 2023Publication
The Use of Hotels as Alternative Places of Detention
Overview The Australian Human Rights Commission conducts ongoing monitoring of conditions in detention to ensure that Australia’s immigration detention system complies with our obligations under international human rights law. Australia’s immigration authorities use hotels as Alternative Places of Detention (commonly known as APODs) instead of housing some people in immigration detention… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
13 September 2022Media ReleaseFirst Nations women to take leading role in addressing family and community violence
An important gathering of First Nations women – including specialist experts, researchers, frontline workers and women with lived experience of violence – has called on governments across Australia to ensure First Nations women lead all future efforts to prevent violence against First Nations women and children. On Monday the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Safety Policy Forum was held online,… -
Rights and Freedoms
8 July 2021News storyCommission’s report into prolonged detention following visa cancellation
The Government should appoint an independent reviewer to examine the basis for the continued detention of people who have been in immigration detention for prolonged periods, including a detailed assessment of any risk they pose to the community, the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission has said in a report tabled in Parliament today. The AHRCA Report 141 ( Immigration… -
Rights and Freedoms
17 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 Freedoms
17 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… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
27 August 2021News story
Commission statement on Australia’s response to Afghanistan crisis
The Australian Human Rights Commission has serious concerns about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, heightened by the attacks on Kabul airport overnight, and the corresponding impacts on the Afghan diaspora in Australia. -
Rights and Freedoms
28 June 2020Media Release
Implementing OPCAT in Australia released
The Commission has today released recommendations for how Australia should implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Implementing OPCAT in Australia is the final step in the Commission’s consultation process with civil society, inspectorate and monitoring bodies, and a number of state and territory… -
Children's Rights
5 April 2022News story
New report shares voices of children and families
A new report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission highlights how important it is for governments to listen to children and families when making decisions about services and government policies that affect them. The Keeping kids safe and well – your voices report, led by National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, follows a request from the Australian Government… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
15 June 2021Media Release
Commission urges immediate action on COVID-19 risk to people in immigration detention
The Australian Government must act urgently to reduce the number of people in closed immigration detention in response to the ongoing risks posed by COVID-19, according to a new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Management of COVID-19 risks in immigration detention recommends new safety measures be introduced to protect people in immigration detention, and the wider community… -
Children's Rights
6 April 2022Publication
Child-friendly version of Keeping kids safe and well (2022)
Most of the kids I spoke to said it was very important that the government listens to what they have to say. -
Rights and Freedoms
9 April 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)
Community update: COVID-19 (April 2020)
Here to help, human rights in COVID times -
Children's Rights
17 January 2019Speech
Megan Mitchell at the National Press Club
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we gather on today, and across Australia, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and future. Thanks to UNICEF for the opportunity to share the moment in which both our reports are submitted, and Anne Sherry in particular. Congratulations also to UNICEF and the Child Rights Taskforce on this fabulous report. When Australia… -
Disability Rights
4 April 2024WebpageJane Spring
Learn about IncludeAbility Ambassador Jane Spring becoming T10 paraplegic and her journey to meaningful employment, enabling her to develop and grow her skills. -
Rights and Freedoms
5 May 2019Speech
40+ years of conciliation
The Australian Human Rights Commission and Conciliation—a 40+ year success story, but … National Mediation Conference, Canberra Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM [Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Abstract A key responsibility of the Australian Human Rights Commission is to handle complaints of breaches of human rights. This is a role that the Commission in its various iterations… -
Rights and Freedoms
18 March 2022Opinion piece
What is happening in Ukraine should matter to every Australian
OPINION There is almost 13,000km between Australia and Ukraine. It is literally on the other side of the world. Given the vast distances that separate us, it would be easy to claim that what happens there has nothing to do with us. That Australia should focus instead on the many challenges we face at home and leave the rest of the world to deal with their own problems. That would be a grave … -
Disability Rights
31 August 2021News story
Disability Discrimination Commissioner launches IncludeAbility resource hub
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett has launched IncludeAbility.gov.au – a new website designed to promote meaningful employment opportunities for Australians with disability. The website is part of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s broader IncludeAbility initiative developed to champion employment for people with disability by improving employment pathways,… -
Children's Rights
4 August 2022Media Release
National day spotlights culture and rights of First Nations children
Celebrating and showcasing the lives of First Nations children is the focus of today’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. With the theme this year of ‘My Dreaming, My Future’, the day also provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on how Australians can work together to improve a range of health, social and human rights outcomes for young First Nations people -
Age Discrimination
13 September 2021News storyNew research finds ageism is the most accepted form of prejudice in Australia
A new report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found most Australians (90%) agree ageism exists in Australia, with 83% agreeing ageism is a problem and 65% saying it affects people of all ages. -
Children's Rights
19 April 2021Media Release
Governments must prioritise raising the age
National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO have urged all Australian governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility as a matter of priority. A report commissioned by a meeting of Attorneys-General in July last year recommended that all jurisdictions raise the age and ensure younger teenagers… -
8 December 2020Book page
Part 1: Our women and girls' voices
Discover a national conversation on how to promote the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls and their communities.