Human rights communications
Individuals can make communications to the United Nations on human rights issues that affect them directly. Australia has agreed to individuals’ rights to make communications to the United Nations under the:
- Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (OP to ICCPR)
- Convention against Torture and Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), and
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
The Department coordinates the Government’s response to these communications.
Individuals have made the following communications to the various committees, which are yet to be considered:
Outline of communications made under the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- 1810/2008 - Concerning removal to Turkey
- 1635/2007 – Concerning state legislation on serious sex offenders
- 1630/2007 – Concerning alleged sex or sexual orientation discrimination
- 1629/2007 – Concerning state legislation on dangerous prisoners
- 1590/2007 – Concerning extradition to China
- 1561/2007 – Concerning removal to Libya
- 1557/2007 – Concerning deportation to Sweden
- 1442/2005 – Concerning removal to China
- 1429/2005 – Concerning removal to Colombia
- 1435/2005 – Concerning removal to Turkey
- 1408/2005 – Concerning removal to Bangladesh
- 1372/2005 – Concerning removal to Turkey
- 1335/2004 – Concerning treatment in immigration detention
- 1307/2004 – Concerning removal to Sri Lanka
Outline of communications made under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Outline of communications made under the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- 42/2008 – Concerning discrimination on the basis of nationality
- 39/2006 – Concerning benefits for New Zealand citizens
- 35/2005 – Concerning alleged discrimination against an Aboriginal community in Tasmania
Committee Views and Government Responses
UN human rights committees have handed down views in relation to communications made by individuals in relation to Australia. Here are the most recent views and, where applicable, the Australian Government’s response to those views:
Human Rights Committee
- Dudko v Australia (1347/2005) – Views of 29/8/2007 – Word 153KB
Dudko v Australia (1347/2005) – Views of 29/8/2007 – PDF 861KB - Dudko v Australia (1347/2005) – Australian Government Response – Word 22KB
Dudko v Australia (1347/2005) – Australian Government Response – PDF 13KB - Shams, Atvan, Shahrooei, Saadat, Ramezani, Boostani, Behrooz and Sefed v Australia
(1255, 1256, 1259, 1260, 1266, 1268, 1270 and 1288/2004) – Views of 11/9/2007 – Word 145KB
Shams et al v Australia
(1255, 1256, 1259, 1260, 1266, 1268, 1270 and 1288/2004)– PDF 1007KB - Shams et al v Australia – Australian Government Response – Word 46KB
Shams et al v Australia – Australian Government Response – PDF 32KB - Shafiq v Australia (1324/2004) – Views of 13/11/2006 – Word 153KB
Shafiq v Australia (1324/2004) – Views of 13/11/2006– PDF 186KB
Communication No 1324/2004 – Australian Government Response – Word 39KB
Communication No 1324/2004 – Australian Government Response– PDF 22KB - Anderson v Australia (1367/2005) – Views of 31/10/2006 – Word 115KB
Anderson v Australia (1367/2005) – Views of 31/10/2006 – PDF 61KB - Katsuno & Ors v Australia(1154/2003) – Views of 31/10/2006 – Word 125KB
Katsuno & Ors v Australia(1154/2003) – Views of 31/10/2006– PDF 65KB - Dranichnikov v Australia (1291/2004) – Views of 20/10/2006 – Word 115KB
Dranichnikov v Australia (1291/2004) – Views of 20/10/2006 – PDF 59KB
- Brough v Australia (1184/2003) – Views of 10/08/2006 – Word 150KB
Brough v Australia (1184/2003) – Views of 10/08/2006– PDF 105KB
Communication No 1184/2003 – Australian Government Response – Word 39KB
Communication No 1184/2003 – Australian Government Response– PDF 29KB - Coleman v Australia (1157/2003) – Views of 10/08/2006 – Word 108KB
Coleman v Australia (1157/2003) – Views of 10/08/2006– PDF 150KB
Communication No 1157/2003 – Australian Government Response – Word 42KB
Communication No 1157/2003 – Australian Government Response– PDF 31KB - D & E v Australia (1050/2002) – Views of 09/08/2006 – Word 108KB
D & E v Australia (1050/2002) – Views of 09/08/2006– PDF 144KB
Communication No 1050/2002 – Australian Government Response – Word 56KB
Communication No 1050/2002 – Australian Government Response– PDF 44KB - SJL & ors v Australia (1175/2003) – Views of 25/07/2006 – Word 115KB
SJL & ors v Australia (1175/2003) – Views of 25/07/2006 – PDF 58KB