Complementary Protection in Australia two Years on: An Emerging Human Rights Jurisprudence

Abstract

Since 24 March 2012, asylum seekers whose claims are processed in Australia have been able to claim protection on broader grounds than those contained in the Refugee Convention. This is known as ‘complementary protection’. Complementary protection provides protection to those who face a real risk of arbitrary deprivation of life, the death penalty, torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment if removed from Australia. This article provides an in-depth analysis of complementary protection in its first two years of operation in Australia. It examines: (a) the kinds of factual scenarios giving rise to complementary protection; (b) case law developments in relation to the content of, and exceptions to, the complementary protection criteria; and (c) the extent to which Australia's approach reflects international practice.