Critical torture prevention work again underfunded

26 March 2025

Members of the Australian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), including the ACT Human Rights Commission, express our deep concern that once again the federal Budget does not include more funding to support our torture prevention work in detention environments, and Australia-wide implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). This comes despite the high numbers of people deprived of liberty in the custodial system and in other detention environments in Australia.

The full statement is available on our website and on the Commonwealth Ombudsman website.

Response to the Board of Inquiry’s final report into the ACT Criminal Justice System

We acknowledge the Board of Inquiry’s important work in facilitating public discourse about the criminal justice system.
Translating rights into child and youth-friendly language

Jodie and her team are currently visiting schools across the ACT to talk to students about human rights.
Commission welcomes pathway for human rights complaints

The Commission welcomes the introduction of legislation that provides for a new accessible complaints pathway about alleged breaches of human rights by public authorities in the ACT.
Specialised legal support for sexual assault victim-survivors welcomed

Victim Support Act and Women’s Legal Centre ACT have been selected to jointly run one of  three pilots across Australia, to provide a specialised and trauma-informed legal service for sexual assault victim-survivors.
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