Skip to main content

Browse News

Commission – General

August ebulletin

We have heard the words human rights quite a lot in recent weeks, in varied and sometimes inaccurate settings.  Measures to protect our health and safety must be balanced with our rights and freedoms, but if there was ever a time to articulate where that line is, it would be now. Which is why last...

Category, E bulletin
Commission – General

Media 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...

Category, News
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Court finds asylum seekers entitled to fair process

Up to 71 asylum seekers who missed out on making an application for a protection visa were still entitled to a fair assessment of their claims the Full Federal Court has held. The Court accepted submissions from the Australian Human Rights Commission that an internal process established by the...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

Commissioners call for compassionate approach for Tamil family

Australian Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell and Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow have today written to Minister David Coleman, calling for an urgent and compassionate resolution for the Tamil family detained in immigration detention on Christmas Island. “Given their connection to...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

Free + Equal: Australian Conversation on Human Rights Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission Check against delivery For a start, thank you Julia, Dr Baird for that wonderful MC-ing of the day. What an array of fantastic insights! I said at the beginning that it would be challenging...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Echoes of breaking glass: reflections on Kristallnacht

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY We know the basic facts of Kristallnacht. On the 9th and 10th of November 1938, mobs attacked Jews in Germany and neighbouring states. They did so freely; without restraint. Many Jews were killed, many more were injured, and many more than that were arrested and sent to...

Category, Speech
Commission – General

Finalists for 2018 Government Award revealed

Four finalists have been selected from a diverse range of nominations for the 2018 Human Rights Awards’ Government Award. This year marks the first time our Awards recognise Government as a stand-alone category. “There are many Government groups and individuals helping others overcome discrimination...

Category, News

Follow us on social media

We engage in social media to promote discussion and debate on human rights issues.

Media centre

Visit our media centre for up to date contact details for all media enquiries.

Learn More