Human rights

Facts Background Australia's response The global agenda   Facts Human Rights Day, 10 December, marks the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. ‘Human rights are what reason requires and conscience demands. They are us and we are them.’ (Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations) On average, people in developing countries are healthier, better educated, less impoverished and more likely to live in a multiparty democracy than they were in 1990. At the beginning of 2000 the world’s nations committed themselves to addressing universal human rights and social justice through the Millennium Development Goals. Improved quality and amount of aid, fairer trade rules and international cooperation to address conflict are necessary to address the increasing gap between rich and poor nations and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. There are people living in poverty in all countries. They are most likely to be women and those whose race or religious beliefs distinguish them from the majority of the population. Acts of terrorism, deliberate attacks on civilians, have taken an appalling toll in recent years. In trying to address these human rights abuses governments have taken measures that have restricted individual civil rights. Sources: http://www.ohchr.org/english, http://www.undp.org; http://hrw.org Background What are human rights? Human rights are so basic that those who are lucky enough to have them may take them for granted. We drink clean water; have sufficient, uncontaminated food and access good health care; are able to go to school, say or write what we think (within limits), practise our beliefs, safely earn a living and vote for a political party; and expect to be treated fairly by others. Yet not all people in the world have these basic needs met or protected. Nearly one-third of the world’s population lives in poverty, without adequate food, water, education and health care. Many people are discriminated against because of their gender, race, religious beliefs or disability. Many people face unfair work practices, illegal detention, persecution, torture and death because their governments do not protect their rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 (with 48 members in favour and eight abstentions). It outlines the rights of all people. The rights stated in the declaration can be grouped as:  civil and political rights – rights that protect individual freedoms and participation in the decision-making processes of the community and those that relate to freedom of thought, opinion and religion (see Articles 2–21) economic, social and cultural rights – rights that achieve a minimum standard of living (food, health care) and which ensure a share in a country’s economic welfare (employment, education) (see Articles 22– 27). Human rights are considered universal, indivisible and fundamental for development and democracy. All people must have access to all rights in order for the world to be a safe and secure place. How are human rights protected? The Universal Declaration on Human Rights outlines the hopes of its writers for a free and fairer world, but signatories are not legally bound to uphold its recommendations. However, since its adoption a number of conventions and protocols that are legally binding have been developed to improve the protection of human rights for all people. These include: The Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1954) The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969) The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1981) Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984) The Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990). After signing one of these formal documents a country must develop laws to formalise its commitment, and it must report on its progress in implementing the relevant convention to groups within the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (or the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees protects refugees for the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees). Various bodies of experts and review committees may investigate a country’s implementation of its commitment to the conventions and respond to complaints by other countries and individuals. The findings of these investigations may lead to recommendations for improvement or even sanctions. Why doesn’t everyone have access to their human rights? The Universal Declaration on Human Rights is an ambitious and complex document. Implementing all of its aspects is a great challenge for all countries. Some rights may conflict with others. Some groups may need special consideration to help them gain equality. Governments may feel the need to restrict rights to freedom of speech or peaceful assembly in times of instability and conflict. The provision of basic needs may be a problem when resources are scarce. The rights of women and children may conflict with cultural traditions. How can we contribute to the protection of human rights? It is important that we learn about our rights and responsibilities and how to protect them so we can assist in guaranteeing access to rights for all people. Until everyone can enjoy their right to life, liberty and security the world will remain an unsafe and unfair place. We must learn the skills of active tolerance and compromise to overcome differences and foster cross-cultural communication and advocacy to uphold the rights and freedoms of disadvantaged or oppressed individuals and communities. This may mean reviewing our attitudes and behaviours so that the way we live our lives does not limit the rights of others. Australia's response The Australian Government’s overseas aid program helps promote and protect human rights through many initiatives, from supporting grass roots activities for Indigenous and women’s rights to building the institutional capacity of national human rights bodies. At the broadest level the Australian aid program contributes to the realisation of human rights. Aid activities that contribute to employment or income generation, improve public services, strengthen sustainable management of natural resources, improve governance or provide humanitarian relief in response to crises all play a part in supporting human rights. For further information: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/keyaid/humanrights.cfm The global agenda

Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights URL:  http://www.ohchr.org/english/ In 1947, when the Commission on Human Rights met for the first time, its sole function was to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations vision is of a world in which the human rights of all are fully respected and enjoyed in conditions of global peace. The High Commissioner works to keep that vision to the forefront through constant encouragement of the international community and its member States to uphold universally agreed human rights standards. It is their role to alert Governments and the world community to the daily reality that these standards are too often ignored or unfulfilled, and to be a voice for the victims of human rights violations everywhere. It is also their role to press the international community to take the steps that can prevent violati...

The right to a free primary education (Article 26, UDHR) is important for the full development of both individuals and wider communities. These students, girls and boys, at Tararan Primary School in Papua New Guinea have well-trained teachers and new school buildings and books to help them learn. Source: Rocky Roe/AusAID The right to participate in government either as a representative decision maker or by voting in regular and free elections (Article 21, UDHR) is an important democratic principle that allows for a range of views to be considered. These voters celebrate the successful election of their chosen candidate in the internationally supervised elections in the Solomon Islands, 5 December 2001. Source: Greg Clough/AusAID The right to an adequate standard of living including food, clothing, housing and medical care (Article 25, UDHR) is basic to survival, and those without these essentials need assistance to fulfil the aspiration of life, liberty and security for all (Articles 1 and 3, UNDHR). These workers discuss progress in the education campaign for improving the rights of women in India. Source: Peter Davis/AusAID ‘Human rights are what reason requires and conscience demands. They are us and we are them.’ (Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations)