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Commission team & services
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From the Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Helen Watchirs
Welcome to the first edition of Humanity, our quarterly newsletter. This year, our expanded Commission celebrated its third birthday. We have a combined 28 years of protecting and promoting the rights of all Canberrans. Read more
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Reconciliation in the Park 2019. The Commission celebrated Canberra's second Reconciliation Day holiday with a stall at Glebe Park. From left, Professor Peter Radoll from the University of Canberra, Reconciliation Australia co-chair Dr Chris Bourke and Professor Tom Calma, University of Canberra Chancellor and co-chair of Reconciliation Australia (Image courtesy RiotACT); and a family with their reconciliation message, at the Commission's stall.
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On 16 April the Commission released a report into a range of adverse claims about the treatment of children and young people in Bimberi Youth Justice Detention Centre (Bimberi). The report follows an extensive Commission-initiated investigation. It found that there was no evidence of systemic abuse in Bimberi, but there were areas for improvement to better address the needs of young people in detention. The Government’s response was released on 6 June and it supports all 15 Commission recommendations in full or in principle. Read more
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Seminar puts the spotlight on human rights locally, nationally. In Law Week 2019, a panel from the Commission and Canberra Community Law discussed the impact of human rights legislation locally and nationally. At the seminar from left, Helen Watchirs, Commission President; Parastou Hatami, program manager, Dhurrawang Aboriginal Human Rights Program; Naomi Gould, senior solicitor, Canberra Community Law; and Heidi Yates, Victims of Crime Commissioner.
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Our first cultural liaison officer, Zouheir Dalati, began with Victim Support ACT this year. Zouheir will be supporting victims of crime from
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culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with reporting crime, court support and accessing a range of services. Read more
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From RAP to Cultural Safety Plan. From left, Karen Flick, the Commission’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural advisor and liaison officer; Pat Anderson, AO, chair of the Lowitja Institute; and Diane Collins, Strategy and Policy Officer from the ACT Ombudsman, at a meeting of the external reference group who are advising the Commission on a draft cultural safety plan.
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Many of us deliver services, design policies or write and implement laws that affect children and young people. But how do children and young people have a say in our work and the decisions we make?
Section 11 (2) of the Human Rights Act protects children’s rights generally, and Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child says that children and young people have the right to express their views about the matters that affect them and for those views to be taken into account. Read more
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About the Public Advocate & Children & Young People Commissioner
The PACYPC monitors services for children and young people and people with mental health conditions. The focus of advocacy is on improving services; and ensuring a person’s voice is heard and they have a say in decision-making and in review or consultation processes. Read more
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Free and confidential information about the Commission’s services and our complaint handling process is available by contacting us. You can also make a complaint online on the website.
We handle complaints about a range of matters including:
- discrimination because of race, sex, age, disability, immigrant status, family violence, gender identity, carer status, sexual harassment and vilification
- health services and health records
- services for children, young people and older people
- disability services.
Revised privacy policy: The Commission's revised privacy policy is available on the website. Hard copies are also available at reception.
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In National Volunteer Week, we profiled Jane Harriss, one of Victim Support ACT's volunteers. If you are the victim of a crime committed in the ACT, call Victim Support ACT for free, confidential advice & support.
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The Commission and A Gender Agenda have developed a set of employer guidelines, to support trans and gender diverse employees in the workplace.
The guidelines provide information to help employers create safe, inclusive workplaces, and to ensure they are |
meeting their obligations under ACT anti-discrimination law. The guidelines were produced in consultation with the ACT’s trans and gender diverse communities.
Email human.rights@act.gov.au for a copy of the guidelines. |
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Coming up
Mondays, 9-12 noon
Cultural liaison officer available
@ Theo Notaras Centre
Our Victim Support cultural liaison officer is available every Monday morning to assist victims of crime who are migrants, refugees or asylum seekers.
13 June, 10:30am
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Theo Notaras Centre
Join us for morning tea, information and conversations. More info: events@northside.asn.au
18 June, 2pm
Word Refugee Day afternoon tea
Theo Notaras Centre
Join us as we recognise the courage of refugees who have made Canberra home. RSVP: ggai@redcross.org.au
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World Refugee Day
20 June, 6pm: Crawford School, ANU
Commission President, Dr Helen Watchirs will address a seminar entitled Importance of Belonging: Finding refuge and a new life in Cbr
7-14 July: NAIDOC Week
Catch us at NAIDOC Family Day at the University of Canberra.
7-8 August: Careers Xpo
The team from the Children and Young People Commissioner will be at the Careers Xpo on 7-8 August.
13 September: UNDRIP community event
We'll be hosting a lunchtime seminar & community BBQ at Yarramundi Reach, to celebrate the anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. More details soon on facebook.
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