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Education14 December 2012Webpage
Human Rights Explained: The Emergence of Rights in Law
Discover the historical evolution of legal rights, from the Magna Carta to modern treaties, and their impact on human rights law. Learn more with this fact sheet. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice24 June 2014Webpage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? The Declaration is a set of principles which describe equality, non-discrimination, partnership, consultation and cooperation between Indigenous peoples and governments. It is a comprehensive standard on human rights for Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration is not legally binding and it does not compel governments to certain actions… -
16 May 2013Webpage
Submissions raising ICCPR Article 7
Manus Island Regional Processing Centre Proposal (April 2013) Examination of the Migration (Regional Processing) package of legislation - January 2013Human rights discussed: ICCPR Articles 2.1, 2.2, 7, 9.1, 9.4, 14, 17, 23, 26; ICESCR Articles 6, 11; CRC Articles 2, 3.1, 8.1, 10.1, 20, 22,37.b; CAT Articles 3, 16 Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals and Other Measures) Bill… -
Commission – General14 December 2012Speech
President speeches: Development, Security and Human Rights
This paper addresses one of the Forum themes: ‘Security and Human Rights’. Since 11 September 2001 governments around the world have responded to the threat of terrorism with tough measures to protect the lives and security of their communities – to protect their fundamental human rights. New security measures give government authorities unprecedented powers, which can seriously infringe the… -
11 February 2013Speech
Human Rights Day Oration - delivered by the Honourable James Spigelman AC QC
The Human Rights Day Oration was delivered by James Spigelman, Chairman of the ABC and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW from 1998 until 2011. His keynote speech tackled the topical issue of ‘Where do we draw the line between hate speech and free speech?’ -
Rights and Freedoms10 August 2015Speech
NSW Council for Civil Liberties
I was pleased to have been invited to speak to the NSW Council for Civil Liberties at this your annual fund raising dinner for you are, above all, best placed to understand the phenomenon of the last few years that is of concern to the Australian Human Rights Commission; that is, the encroachment of executive discretion on fundamental rights and freedoms. Senator Cory Bernardi calls this a … -
24 April 2015Book page
3 Promotion and protection of human rights on the ground
3.1 Equality before the law and non-discrimination (a) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has yet to be implemented in law, policy and practice. [12] Recommendation: The Commission recommends that Government develop, in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, a National Strategy to give effect to the -
14 December 2012Book page
Mandatory detention laws in Australia
Mandatory detention laws were enacted in Western Australia and the Northern Territory in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Essentially these laws require courts to impose minimum sentences of detention or imprisonment for people convicted of certain offences. They effectively remove judicial discretion in relation to those offences. -
Rights and Freedoms14 December 2012Speech
"Human Rights in Contemporary Australia": Dr Sev Ozdowski (2001)
Speech by Dr Sev Ozdowski at the United Nations Association of Australia - Tasmanian Branch - Human Rights Seminar: Human Rights from the Perspective of Individual, Collective and Corporate Responsibilities, Saturday 17 November 2001 -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2000: Appendix 4
1. The Committee examined the third and fourth periodic reports of Australia (CCPR/C/AUS/99/3 and 4) at its 1855th, 1857th and 1858th meetings, held on 20 and 21 July 2000. At its 1867th meeting on 28 July 2000, the Committee adopted the following concluding observations. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2004 : SUMMARY SHEET ONE
This provides an overview of the main events leading up to the introduction of the new arrangements for the administration of Indigenous affairs on 1 July 2004, as well as the key events which have occurred since that time to implement the new arrangements. For further detail on each of the events please refer to Appendix One. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
RIGHTS DENIED (2009)
I also want to thank Bill Shorten for being with us, and acknowledge the energy and leadership he is providing on disability issues within Government, both on specific issues and on the big picture cross government and inter-governmental issues. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Tasmanian Human Rights Charter Consultation (2010)
The Commission congratulates the Tasmanian Government on making significant progress towards the legislated protection of human rights and promoting community discussion about human rights. -
Rights and Freedoms14 December 2012Speech
Human Rights in Contemporary Australia: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2001)
Despite its rather grand title, this presentation will be a relatively modest attempt to set out the key challenges for human rights in Australia as I see them at the outset of my term as Human Rights Commissioner. Let us begin with a quick survey of the state of human rights internationally and in Australia today. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Innes: International Day of People with Disability 2008
On 16 December 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations appealed to Governments around the world to observe 3 December of each year as International Day of people with disability. This is a day to celebrate abilities of people with disability all over the world. The aim of observing this day each year is also to increase awareness, and understanding, of disability issues and the gains to… -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2007: Chapter 5
Good functioning of prescribed bodies corporate (PBC)2 is essential to native title. Recognition of native title rights only goes part of the way to redress the historical injustice of land dispossession. Without appropriate means to make decisions about land, the existence of native title makes minimal appreciable difference to Indigenous people. -
Commission – General23 February 2016Webpage
Senate file listing: 1 July 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
FileId: 2009/15-6 Create Date 24-Aug-2015 Name: CLOSE THE GAP CAMPAIGN Title: PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION - SJU - MONITORING & REPORTING AGENCY LIAISON FileId: 2011/78-2 Create Date 31-Aug-2015 Name: INFORMATION PUBLICATION SCHEME Title: INFORMATION MANAGEMENT - LEGAL COMPLIANCE FileId: 2011/78-3 Create Date 31-Aug-2015 Name: INFORMATION PUBLICATION SCHEME Title: INFORMATION… -
Rights and Freedoms12 June 2015Speech
Freedom, Parliament and the Courts. Speech to the Human Rights Dinner
Please check against delivery Distinguished guests, friends and colleagues- thank you for your welcome tonight. I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay respect to their elders past and present. I am honoured to be a patron of Justice Connect that has so successfully aligned probono lawyers with clients to provide legal advice and… -
Commission – General9 June 2015Speech
Freedom, Parliament and the Courts
Speech to the annual Human Rights Dinner, co-hosted by Justice Connect and the Human Rights Law Centre. Draft: check against delivery Thank you for your welcome tonight. Acknowledgement of country I am honored to be a patron of Justice Connect that has so successfully aligned probono lawyers with clients to provide legal advice and services for migrants, the homeless and older Australians… -
14 December 2012Book page
Human rights - what do I need to know? (2008)
All Australians have human rights. Human rights are universal: they are for everyone, everywhere, everyday. Human rights are based on values such as freedom, equality and dignity and seek to protect our quality of life.