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Rights and Freedoms
22 January 2014Opinion pieceFreedoms versus anti-discrimination laws? A false debate
Responsibility, anti-discrimination laws, human rights and freedoms - these words have been at the center of an ideological debate about how to protect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom from detention without trial. But if we are serious about securing these fundamental freedoms in Australian law, we must legislate to protect them, just as… -
Commission - General
22 January 2014PublicationAHRC Agency Multicultural Plan 2013-15
Multicultural access and equity policy: Respecting diversity. Improving responsiveness. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
9 January 2014PublicationThose who've come across the seas: Detention of unauthorised arrivals
HREOC’s report, tabled in federal Parliament on 12 May 1998, deals with the policy of mandatory detention of most unauthorised arrivals and the conditions of detention for those detained. The report had its origins in the many complaints received by HREOC from, or on behalf of, people in immigration detention centres. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
8 January 2014Publication
An age of uncertainty - Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children
This report makes disturbing reading. It documents numerous breaches by Australia of both the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As a nation that is understandably anxious that the rights of our own children should be respected when they come into contact with the authorities of other countries, it is troubling that between late… -
Commission - General
8 January 2014Book page
Abbreviations and Acronyms
You can view a list of abbreviations and acronyms that are used by the Commission. The list makes it easier to understand our website and publications. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
8 January 2014Publication
A last resort? National Inquiry into ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ in Immigration Detention
This is an important report. It deals with our treatment of children in the most recent wave of boat people seeking refuge and a better life on our shores. It does so in the knowledge that there is a tension created by the community expectation that the Government will defend Australia's security while simultaneously upholding individual rights - the notion of the 'fairgo' for all. The report… -
Rights and Freedoms
3 January 2014Book page
1 Introduction
This UPR Progress Report operates as a statement of key human rights concerns and developments in Australia in 2013. The 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 (UPR) at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in October 2015. Each report identifies important milestones as well as… -
3 January 2014Book page
2 Background and framework for promotion and protection of human rights
2.1 Scope of international obligations During Australia’s review, the Government made a commitment to improving Australia’s monitoring of its international human rights obligations. Australia is a party to seven of the core human rights treaties and maintains a number of reservations under these. The Australian Government made a commitment to conduct a comprehensive review of such… -
Rights and Freedoms
3 January 2014Book page
3 Key national priorities, initiatives and commitments
The Paris Principles set out the minimum standards required by national human rights institutions to be considered credible and to operate effectively. [94] In order to be effective and granted an ‘A status’, national human rights institutions must be independent, adequately funded and have a broad human rights mandate. ACHRA encourages the new Government to ensure that the Australian Human… -
3 January 2014Book page
Attachment 1: Calendar of upcoming key UN treaty dates
Treaty Key dates Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) The fifth periodic report was submitted in July 2013 (due in August 2012) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Australia appeared before the committee in September 2013 Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) The report was due October…