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13 November 2014Book page
People and performance
Organisational excellence The Commission is accredited as an ‘A status’ national human rights institution (NHRI) by the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. The ICC is responsible for accrediting new NHRIs, as well as re-accrediting existing NHRIs every five years, according to a rigorous and transparent process… -
Rights and Freedoms
11 November 2022Media ReleaseHuman Rights Commissioner to raise juvenile and immigration detention concerns with UN torture committee in Geneva
Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner is set to appear before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva next week to provide analysis of how Australia measures up against our obligations under the UN’s Convention Against Torture (CAT) and its associated Optional Protocol (OPCAT). -
Children's Rights
22 December 2016Opinion pieceIs jail the answer for Australian kids?
This year around 900 children and young people will spend Christmas in jail. More than 5 per cent of this population are between 10 and 12 years old and 74 per cent of this age group are Indigenous. Most have been charged or convicted with petty crimes, like graffiti, vandalism, shop lifting or fare evasion. More than half of the children in Australian jails have not been convicted of a… -
Commission – General
23 October 2019Media ReleaseMedia statement: Use of force in immigration detention
Fourteen complaints about the use of force in immigration detention form the basis for a comprehensive thematic report by the Australian Human Rights Commission tabled in Parliament today. The report considers the practices of handcuffing detainees, use of physical force within centres including arm and elbow locks, operations conducted by the Emergency Response Team (ERT), and the use of… -
14 December 2012Book page
17. Major Findings and Recommendations of the Inquiry
In addition to the detailed findings in each of Chapters 5-16, the Inquiry has made the following major findings in relation to Australia's mandatory immigration detention system as it applied to children who arrived in Australia without a visa (unauthorised arrivals) over the period 1999-2002. -
14 December 2012Book page
Asylum seekers and refugees guide
Over the last decade the Commission has worked to promote and protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees in Australia. The Commission aims to provide clear, factual information to highlight the human rights issues involved in the treatment of these groups of people. On this page: Who are asylum seekers and refugees? What are Australia’s human rights obligations in relation to asylum… -
Race Discrimination
19 April 2021Media ReleaseStop mass incarceration to prevent deaths in custody
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO said Australia must stop the “mass incarceration” of its Indigenous people or else deaths in custody will continue to occur. Commissioner Oscar said her thoughts are with all the families who have lost loved ones over recent months, and in the 30 years since the Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal… -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
International and Australian evidence demonstrates the long-term effects of early life experience on health and well being throughout life. The detention of children and young people is poses significant risks to normal development. The exposure of infants and young children to stress either directly or mediated through the experiences of their parents reduces the likelihood of normal brain… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 January 2014WebpageAsylum seekers and refugees guide
Learn everything about refugee and asylum seeker issues, such as immigration detention, legal rights, protection visas and enhanced screening. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageInquiry into Cybersafety for Senior Australians 2012
The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Joint Select Committee on Cybersafety in its inquiry into Cybersafety for Senior Australians. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Notice of Grant of Temporary Exemption under section 44(1) of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth) [2012]
By this instrument, under section 44(1) of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)(ADA), the Australian Human Rights Commission grants an exemption to the State of New South Wales - Department of Family and Community Services, Ageing Disability and Home Care (the Applicant) from the operation of sections 28 and 29 of the ADA. The exemption is granted for a period of one year from the date of this… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Opening statement by Commission President, Catherine Branson QC to the Joint Select Committee on Australia's Immigration Detention Network
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee this afternoon. The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the opportunity to comment on Australia's immigration detention system in this forum. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Immigration Detention Network (2011)
The Australian Government should implement reforms it announced in 2008 under which immigration detention is to be used as a last resort and for the shortest practicable period, people are to be detained in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual circumstances, and there is a presumption that people will be permitted to reside in the community unless they pose an… -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2008 - Appendix 6
[1] Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Top End, http://www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/regions/te.html (viewed 17 December 2008) [2] D Green, Climate change impacts on remote Indigenous communities’ health in northern Australia, Climate Change Impacts and Risks CSIRO (2006), p 21. At http://www.sharingknowledge.net.au/files/indigenoushealth_cc200606.pdf (viewed 17 December 2008… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechDisability discrimination and insurance
Australian Life Underwriters Association and Claims Association conference 5 November 2000 Graeme Innes AM Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner -
Sex Discrimination
12 September 2018SpeechNational Press Club: Everyone's Business: 2018 Sexual Harassment Survey
Kate Jenkins CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. Change takes time In my role as Sex Discrimination Commissioner, many people tell me to be patient. They tell me that change takes time and generational change will eliminate sexual harassment. The next generation will… -
14 December 2012Book page
People and performance - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
We see our organisation as being a positive role model for other employers and a leader in the public sector. We were the first public sector agency to offer Paid Maternity Leave of 18 weeks to our staff and six weeks paid parental leave. We have a range of flexible working arrangements in place that enable our staff to make choices that create harmony and balance in their lives. -
14 December 2012Book page
Summary of Observations following the Inspection of Mainland Immigration Detention Facilities 2007
This report is a brief summary of the observations made by the Human Rights Commissioner and staff of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission). These summary notes and recommendations are based on what we personally observed and heard from staff and detainees during our immigration detention facility inspections. -
28 October 2013Book page
3 Third country processing
As at 23 September 2013 there were 710 asylum seekers detained in the ‘regional processing centre’ on Nauru and 798 asylum seekers detained in the centre on Manus Island. [145] It is estimated that there are currently at least 44 children in the regional processing centre on Nauru, all of whom were transferred with their families as part of the new RSA, having arrived in Australia after 19… -
Children's Rights
14 April 2015Speech
Embedding children’s rights into children’s services
YMCA 2015 National Children’s Services Conference Moonee Valley Racing Club, Victoria Saturday 21 March 2015 Introduction Good morning and thank you for the introduction. I would like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and pay my respects to their elders past and present. I’d like to thank YMCA for…