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Legal2 December 2014Publication
KA, KB, KC and KD v Commonwealth of Australia
View a report into arbitrary detention and inhumane conditions of detention in the case of KA, KB, KC and KD v Commonwealth of Australia. -
Legal1 December 2014Publication
FA, FB, FC and FD v Commonwealth of Australia (DIBP)
View a report into arbitrary detention and the failure to consider less restrictive forms in the case of FA, FB, FC and FD v Commonwealth of Australia. -
Legal1 December 2014Publication
HA, HB, HC, HD and HE v Commonwealth of Australia (DIBP)
View a report into arbitrary detention in the case of HA, HB, HC, HD and HE v Commonwealth of Australia (DIBP). -
Legal24 November 2014Publication
Ismail Mirza Jan v Commonwealth of Australia (DIBP)
View a report into arbitrary detention in the case of Ismail Mirza Jan v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Immigration and Border Protection). -
13 November 2014Book page
Our functions
Legislation The Commission exercises functions under the following Acts. Australian Human Rights Commission Act Establishes the Commission and outlines its powers and functions. It defines human rights by reference to the following international instruments: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Convention on the Rights of the Child Declaration on the Rights of the Child… -
13 November 2014Book page
Highlights of the year
Key achievements Information and Complaints Services In 2013-14, the Commission assisted 19 688 people and organisations – up 16% on the previous year – by providing information about the law, assisting with problem solving and facilitating referrals to other services. We received 2223 complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights and finalised 2178 complaints. We… -
Commission – General13 November 2014Publication
Annual Report 2013-14
The role of the Australian Human Rights Commission is to see that human rights and fundamental freedoms are understood and respected in law, policy and practice. The Commission is independent from government, with a legislative mandate, and recognised internationally as an ‘A status’ national human rights institution. We strive to resolve complaints, encourage positive law reform and build a… -
Rights and Freedoms14 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,… -
Children's Rights13 October 2014Publication
Children's Rights Report 2014
The report outlines work the National Children's Commissioner has undertaken throughout 2013-14, which focuses on the findings of the examination into intentional self-harm, with or without suicidal intent, in children and young people under 18 years of age. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees8 October 2014Opinion piece
Keeping 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… -
Legal4 September 2014Publication
Mansoor and Mr IA v Commonwealth (DIBP)
View a report into arbitrary detention in the case of Mansoor and Mr IA v Commonwealth (Department of Immigration and Border Protection). -
Legal4 September 2014Publication
Johansson v Masonic Homes Inc
Explore a report into unlawful discrimination in employment based on a criminal record in the case of Johansson v Masonic Homes Inc. -
Children's Rights12 August 2014Project
A model charter of rights for children and young people detained in youth justice facilities
This Charter of Rights tells you what you can expect while you are detained. The rights apply to everyone so you have to respect other people’s rights. -
Commission – General31 August 2016Publication
Corporate Plan: 2016 - 2017
This Corporate Plan sets out the strategic goals and priorities of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission). It creates an explicit connection between our purpose, corporate goals, operational environment, key activities and annual performance reporting. -
Rights and Freedoms20 May 2014Opinion piece
Twitter trolls have a right to offend – but we don't have to listen
Storms on social media demonstrate we don't need laws to regulate free speech – social norms are enough Internet outrage tells us more about how we ensure civil conduct face-to-face, than how we behave online. People behave in strange ways online. But social media provides the clearest evidence of people behaving on their first instinct. All that the internet has demonstrated is there were… -
Commission – General16 May 2014Webpage
Employees
All employees have the right to work free from sexual harassment. To help you figure out where the line is and give you some ideas about how to take bystander action if you see or hear about sexual harassment, we have developed a range of information resources as part of our Know Where the Line Is strategy. For an audio described version of the video click here. Click here to download… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees20 December 2017Publication
Inspection of Villawood Immigration Detention Centre Report
This report contains an overview of key observations and recommendations arising from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inspection of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre ("VIDC") in April 2017. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees20 December 2017Publication
Inspection of Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre Report
This report contains an overview of key observations and recommendations arising from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inspection of the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre ("YHIDC") in May 2017. -
15 April 2014Book page
Who we are
Australia's peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous health bodies, health professional bodies and human rights organisations operate the Close the Gap Campaign. The Campaign's goal is to raise the health and life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to that of the non-Indigenous population within a generation: to close the gap by 2030. It aims to… -
Rights and Freedoms8 April 2014Opinion piece
Free speech, the public service and civilising behaviour
Before anyone screams "free speech", they should actually know what they are talking about. Earlier this week the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet released new social media protocols. The protocols limit the capacity of public servants to make statements that are "harsh or extreme in their criticism of the government, government policies, a member of Parliament from another political…