Rights and Freedoms
Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights
What makes an effective system of human rights protection for 21st century Australia? What are we doing well and what steps do we still need to take?
Past Projects
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Rights and Freedoms
Australia's Third Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
Learn about how every five years, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) considers the progress of every country in the realisation of all human rights.
Rights and Freedoms
OPCAT: Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
(OPCAT) is an international agreement aimed at preventing torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Rights and Freedoms
Free and Equal Conference
The Free and Equal conference was the centrepiece of a national conversation and once-in-a-decade event. The conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on Tuesday 8 October 2019.
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Federal Discrimination Law 2016
Federal Discrimination Law is produced by the Commission’s legal section and provides an overview of the federal unlawful discrimination laws and examines the significant issues that have arisen in the federal unlawful discrimination cases. It also contains comprehensive tables of damages awards...
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Religious Freedom Roundtable
In 2014, former Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson MP conducted a national consultation on rights and responsibilities. The outcomes from this consultation are outlined in the Rights and Responsibilities Consultation Report 2015. The importance of, and threats to, religious freedom was...
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Magna Carta: The Story of Our Freedom
To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the Australian Human Rights Commission has created a series of online educational resources which explore the evolution of human rights since 1215 and the impact that Magna Carta has had on our human rights and freedoms in Australia. The digital...
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Rights & Responsibilities 2014
In 2014, former Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson MP conducted a national consultation about how well Australia protects people's rights and freedoms.
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Free Speech 2014
The Commission hosted a one-day symposium on free speech on Thursday 7th August 2014.
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Freedom of Religion and Belief
Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right protected by a number of international treaties and declarations, including article 18(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This right encompasses freedom of thought on all matters and the freedom to...
Rights and Freedoms
Human rights and the Internet
The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for the promotion and advancement of certain rights
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Right to freedom of information, opinion and expression
Explore the right to freedom of information, opinion, and expression, and understand its importance in a democratic society. Learn about permissible limitations and protections.
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Rights and freedoms - right by right
As part of the development of our new website we are developing pages on human rights scrutiny by reference to each area of rights and obligations set out in the main human rights treaties which have been developed by the international community and adopted by Australia in the years since the...
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Review of Universal Periodic Review commitments by Australia
What is the UPR and why does it matter | Commitments made at Australia's first UPR appearance | Review of commitments | Comments What is the UPR and why does it matter The Universal Periodic Review is a process undertaken by the United Nations Human Rights Council. It involves review of the human...
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Counter-terrorism and human rights
Since the events in the United States on 11 September 2001, the Australian Government has introduced more than 40 new counter-terrorism laws. Amongst other things, these laws have created:
Rights and Freedoms