Human Rights
Our human rights are upheld by:
Acts of Parliament
Common Law
The Australian Constitution
Every one of us starts as
equal
Human rights belong to us
because we are human beings
We have the right not to be discriminated
against based on:
Race
Religion
Sexuality
Age
Gender
Nationality
Human rights are universal
They are enshrined in laws,
treaties and conventions
United Nations
The United Nations aims to foster co-operation between
nations on a range of issues from human rights to
international security.
The UN makes recommendations and international laws, but
The UN cannot tell governments what laws to make for their
people because they are sovereign states.
All governments are expected to respect the
basic rights described in the Declaration of
Human Rights
Unfortunately this does not mean there are no
human rights abuses in the world
The United Nations has developed:
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights
The United Nations enforces international laws
through the International Court of Justice which
was established in 1945
The International Criminal Court was established in 1998 and
it tries those accused of the most serious international crimes.
These include crimes against humanity, war crimes and
genocide.
The United Nations also has special tribunals to deal with
crimes like genocide.
Human rights violations
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a non-government organisation.
This organisation reports on human rights abuses.
It also acts to help bring about change.
The media plays an important role in bringing
human rights abuses to our attention
Human Rights Conventions
Australia signs up to Human Rights Conventions:
E.g. the Civil and Political Covenant focuses on individual rights such as:
• Freedom of speech
• The right of worship
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom from arbitrary arrest
Australia has also signed up to the Economic and Social and Cultural
Covenant. These are more collective rights and include:
• The right to a job
• The right to shelter
Australian Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission was established in 1986 by an act of
the Federal Parliament. This means that the Commission was set up
by a statute or act of parliament.
The Commission offers advice to the Federal Parliament about laws
and policies that deal with human rights.
The Commission resolves complaints about discrimination.
The Commission educates the public about human rights.
The Commission holds inquiries into issues of national importance.
A charter of rights?
Some Australians think we should have a charter of rights which is a list of rights.
A charter of rights listed in the Australian Constitution means that parliament can
not simply make a law to change those rights.
A referendum would need to be held to make any changes to the charter of rights.
What is a referendum?
Others say we do not need a charter of rights because Australian law already
protects our rights.
Do you think we should have a charter of rights?
All members of the
community should respect
human rights