ICCL is an independent membership organisation that works to defend and extend civil liberties and human rights.

A core part of the ICCL's work is raising awareness of civil liberties, rights and justice issues. The ICCL monitors potential human rights infringements in proposed legislation, keeps the media informed of developments, influences legislators and mounts public campaigns, however does not take on individual cases.



The ICCL has been particularly active in campaigns against emergency legislation and special courts and has been to the forefront in constitutional referenda on numerous issues including divorce, abortion, bail, and cabinet confidentiality. It has championed the rights of minorities including gay and lesbian rights, travellers' rights, women's rights, the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers and has been active in the protection of a range of due process rights including the right of persons in psychiatric detention.