This major new report about the COVID-19 pandemic by the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ highlights how critical gaps in the emergency response could be improved upon in future crises.
In this second stage of consultation with civil society, the Commission invites comments on the proposals set out in the Interim Report, as well as a further set of questions regarding how OPCAT should be implemented in Australia. The two stages of the Commission’s consultation are intended to be...
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.
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.
This report is a collection of the presentations given by the various speakers at Free Speech 2014. These papers represent the views of the speakers, not the Commission. Whilst some minor edits have been made to the original transcripts, the Commission has maintained the integrity of the speeches as...
This report is the third in a series of annual reports that are being developed in the lead up to Australia’s second Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in October 2015. Each report identifies important milestones as well as challenges that remain for the...
The Commission recognises the importance of effective border management and recognises that Australia has a right as a sovereign State to exclude non-citizens from its territory. However, Australia also has international obligations in relation to asylum seekers who come here, including those who...
Following Australia's appearance in the UPR process, the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ committed to publishing an annual report on the status of implementation of the UPR recommendations. The series of annual reports will track Australia's performance in the lead up to its next review in 2015...
Human rights at your fingertips is a pocket guide for public sector officials and contains the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the seven international human rights treaties ratified by Australia and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The pocket...
Over recent years, the Commission has received a significant number of complaints from people alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record. The complaints indicate that there is a great deal of misunderstanding by employers and people with criminal records about...
A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18 years old have the right – and the obligation – to vote...