Joint submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Peaceful Assembly on stigmatising narratives and the impact on rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
The Human Rights Law Centre and the Australian Democracy Network urge the UN Special Rapporteur to address the impact of stigmatising narratives on the right to peaceful assembly and association. Australia’s history of protests has led to significant social changes, yet current anti-protest measures and negative media portrayals threaten this democratic right.
Protests are vital for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fighting for self-determination, land and water rights, and against systemic racism. Despite international human rights commitments, Australia’s governments have enacted harsh anti-protest laws influenced by negative narratives from politicians and the media.
The Human Rights Law Centre and the Australian Democracy Network in its submissions to a review of the laws, recommended:
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Repealing harsh anti-protest laws to comply with international human rights standards.
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Combating stigmatising narratives by promoting diverse and balanced media representation.
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Strengthening protections for protesters to ensure they are safeguarded from undue police interference and legal repercussions.
Read the submission here.
Submission to 2025-26 Federal Budget consultation
The Human Rights Law Centre has put forward recommendations to the 2025-26 federal budget submissions across a range of issues, including campaigning for an Australian Human Rights Act, migration justice, prisoners’ rights, whistleblower protection and modern slavery.
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Submission to Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021 review
The Human Rights Law Centre is calling for stronger safeguards for the right to privacy and warned that these powers enable the AFP and ACIC to undertake significant invasions of privacy, encroach on the right to privacy, and threaten to have a chilling effect on the work of journalists and their sources.
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Submission to Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities
In a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ inquiry into antisemitism on Australian university campuses, the Human Rights Law Centre has called for reforms that uphold Australia's commitment to international human rights standards, fostering a society that respects equality, freedom, and justice for all.
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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.