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Rights and Freedoms

Human Rights in the time of Covid

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency tested national readiness in a federal system to contain the spread of the disease effectively and required very quick action by governments.

Category, Speech
Children's Rights

Governments must urgently address youth justice crisis

The Australian Human Rights Commission calls on all Australian governments to urgently address the national crisis in youth justice to prevent further harm to children in detention, and to reduce youth offending through effective systems of support.

Category, Story
Rights and Freedoms

Housing and human rights - rights where it matters

Sandy Duncanson Memorial Lecture Housing and human rights – rights where it matters Hobart, 11 October 2022 Abstract Homelessness can happen to anyone. People with disability are at an increased risk and they are joined by a growing invisible cohort of older women. COVID-19 was a trigger for state...

Category, Speech
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Joint Statement on the use of hotel APODs

This Statement provides guidance on the short-term use of hotel APODs, including access to open‑air exercise, access to meaningful programs and activities, and the need to ensure medical and welfare services are of the same standard as those provided in other immigration detention facilities.

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

First Nations women to take leading role in addressing family and community violence

An important gathering of First Nations women – including specialist experts, researchers, frontline workers and women with lived experience of violence – has called on governments across Australia to ensure First Nations women lead all future efforts to prevent violence against First Nations women...

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Sir Wallace Kyle Oration

Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Yaningi Yatharra ngindaji muwayi indirranggu, Kaurna yani U. It is wonderful to be here with you today on Noongar Boodja country. I would also like to acknowledge all the country from around this state and beyond that people may joining in from online. My deepest...

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Mabo at 30 – Boodjar: Boorda The Piddington Society

Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Yaningi Yatharra ngindaji muwayi indirranggu, Noongar yani U. I acknowledge all the countries we gather on today. My deepest respects to all our elder’s past, present and emerging. I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of Mr Eddie Koiki...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Promoting and protecting human rights in Australia

The Australian Human Rights Commission: promoting and protecting human rights in Australia St Andrew’s College, University of Sydney, 14 July 2022 Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL Abstract This presentation explores the role of the Australian Human Rights Commission in the context of the...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Whither human rights and freedoms protections in Australia?

As I reflect on the past two years, it is clear that the pandemic has brought a renewed national focus on the importance of centralising considering rights and freedoms during times of crisis — a greater ‘rights consciousness’.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

What is happening in Ukraine should matter to every Australian

OPINION There is almost 13,000km between Australia and Ukraine. It is literally on the other side of the world. Given the vast distances that separate us, it would be easy to claim that what happens there has nothing to do with us. That Australia should focus instead on the many challenges we...

Category, Opinion

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