Australia's effectiveness in dealing with domestic human rights issues. (1 Viewer)

[MadisonMary]

I'm having a little difficulty not only finding information for this question, but also differentiating it from the legal and non-legal measures for addressing human rights abuses.

help please? :]

 

[kelllly]

Hi MadisonMary. Here's an overview:

Legal measures

FOR

• Australia is signatory to many international treaties e.g. the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (which lists 30 human rights).
• Australia does not have an entrenched Bill of Rights (which is difficult to change and may become inappropriate over time).
• Rights are available because they haven't been interfered with.
• The establishment of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)
• Application of the rule of law

AGAINST

HREOC

• under-resourced
• recommendations frequently ignored

The rule of law may exist, however

• due process is denied for alleged supporters of terroism;
• protection of national borders is more important than providing refuge for asylum seekers; and
• trade alliances override support for Australian citizens accused of crimes of terror abroad.

Non-legal measures

FOR

• NGOs (e.g. NSW Council for Civil Liberties)

The 1994 Child Sex Tourism legislation is an example of a change in law that came about because of campaigns by NGOs.

• Media