Human Rights Commissioner apologises for not speaking out sooner on antisemitism

Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay has apologised to the Jewish community for not speaking out earlier and more clearly about the rise in antisemitism in Australia, particularly after the Sydney Opera House protest.

Finlay made the apology at Unbreakable: Jewish Women, Then, Now, Always, the National Council of Jewish Women Australia national conference held in Sydney on August 23 and 24, in an on-stage conversation with NCJWA vice president Shirley Leader before more than 200 attendees. She has since set out her reflections in a written statement.

“As I come to the end of my term as Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what I could have done differently. My greatest regret is that I did not speak out earlier and more clearly about the rise in antisemitism, particularly following the Sydney Opera House protests,” Finlay said.

“During our conversation at Unbreakable, I acknowledged that some people in the room may have lost faith in me, the Commission, and the broader human rights community because of that delay. For that, I am genuinely sorry.”

Finlay said one lesson she would carry with her was that hatred must be confronted early, clearly and without hesitation, and that the burden of defending human rights should never fall solely on those whose rights are under attack.