Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Committee On The Elimination Of Racial Discrimination, 30 October 2017 1 Introduction 1. This submission is made by the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Commission is an ‘A status’ national human rights institution established and operating in full compliance with the Paris Principles. 2. The Commission has a statutory power to promote and protect human rights under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act). The AHRC Act defines human rights as the international instruments scheduled to or declared under the AHRC Act, which includes the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The Commission’s work relating in this area is led by Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner. 3. The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) (RDA) gives effect to Australia’s international human rights commitments, including CERD, and promotes equality between people of different backgrounds. The RDA protects people across Australia from unfair treatment on the basis of their race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin in different areas of public life. It also makes racial vilification unlawful. 4. The Commission has the power under the AHRC Act to investigate and conciliate complaints made under the RDA by people who experience direct or indirect discrimination. Further information about the Commission can be found at www.humanrights.gov.au. 5. The Commission thanks the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the Committee) for the opportunity to provide a written contribution prior to its consideration of Australia’s 18th to 20th periodic report under CERD. The Commission looks forward to further engaging with the Committee. 6. The Commission recognises the steps taken by the Australian Government to improve Australia’s human rights situation following the Committee’s concluding observations in respect of Australia’s 15th to 17th periodic report. The primary purpose of this submission is to identify issues of concern to assist the Committee with its assessment of Australia’s 18th to 20th periodic report at the Committee’s 94th session in Geneva. 7. This submission provides information concerning racial discrimination experienced by key population groups in Australia and other thematic issues relating to racial discrimination. In relation to each section, the Commission has, where appropriate, referred to the relevant articles of CERD engaged and the relevant paragraph of the Committee’s concluding observations of 13 September 2010 on Australia’s 15th to 17th periodic report. 8. This submission is based on work that has been undertaken by the Commission in accordance with its mandate and functions, or otherwise on publicly available information. The Commission has brought the issues raised in this submission to the attention of the Australian Government. 4