Diverting Aboriginal children away from the legal system
We advocate for a fair and compassionate youth legal system that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are not locked up and instead, can reach their full potential, supported by their families and in their communities.
Working with partners to end Aboriginal deaths in custody
We work to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Aboriginal-led organisations to end Aboriginal deaths in custody and provide support to families and communities throughout coronial inquest processes.
Advocating for economic justice for First Nations people
We work to end the federal government’s oppressive targeting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the social security system and to advocate for a fair social safety net so that all people can live a dignified life
Removing racial injustice from the criminal legal system
We work to end the mass-imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and challenge the lack of police accountability.
How we work
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People know the solutions to the injustices their communities face – injustices borne of colonisation, ongoing racism and generations of oppressive laws and policies. We strive to work in ways that uphold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ right to self-determination and support the movement to end systemic racism in the legal system.
We work in solidarity with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, peak bodies and the Change the Record coalition. Our partnership principles guide how we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ right to self-determination.
Justice for Kumanjayi Walker
The Human Rights Law Centre is supporting the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in the coronial inquest into the police-shooting death of Warlpiri and Luritja teenager Kumanjayi Walker.
Read more
Raising the age of criminal responsibility to keep children out of prison
In Australia, primary school aged children can be sent to prison. The Human Rights Law Centre is calling for all states and territories to raise the age criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14.
Read more
UN racial discrimination complaint about Australia's youth justice policies
The Human Rights Law Centre has supported Aboriginal leaders submit complaint to the United Nations calling for urgent action against Australia’s discriminatory and punitive youth justice policies. The complaint argues that Australia’s policies seriously violate the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Learn more here
Stopping human rights abuses for women and gender diverse people in Victorian prisons
The Human Rights Law Centre is scoping a new project with our partner FlatOut to help women and trans and gender diverse people in prison uphold their rights.
Read moreWays you can support this work
Acknowledgement of Country
The Human Rights Law Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia, including the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Gadigal, Ngunnawal, Darug and Wadawurrung people where we work from.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present. This land always was, and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
WARNING: This site contains images or names of people who have passed away.