Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to simply because they are human. Human rights are not granted by governments or laws, but exist independently of them. They protect the freedom and dignity of every person on the planet, no matter their race, gender, language or religion. Human rights offer protection from discrimination based on these characteristics and more including age, disability, sexual orientation and political opinion.
Human rights can be found in many different sources: international treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD); national laws; state constitutions; case law developed by courts over time; customary international law rules that have become binding because they’ve been accepted as binding by states over time; and even moral principles like fairness and equality that underpin our societies.
Where Do Human Rights Come From?
1. Human Rights Are Universal
Human rights are found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the foundation of international human rights law. All people should be treated equally and have equal access to health care, education, political participation and other opportunities.
2. Human Rights Are Inalienable
Not only do all humans have rights; those rights cannot be taken away or given away by governments or individuals. These fundamental freedoms cannot be made dependent upon any qualification other than humanity itself.
3. Human Rights Are Indivisible
All human beings share these basic rights regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation; race or ethnicity; religion or belief; disability status; social standing or socio-economic background; age or any other distinguishing characteristic. If a government wants to discriminate against someone based on one category listed above that person also has protection under another category because it’s not possible for every person who belongs to one group for example women not having a particular experience shared with another group elderly women.
Who Is Entitled to Human Rights?
Human rights are held by everyone. By virtue of being human, everyone is entitled to human rights. This means that no one can take your human rights away from you. Not even the government has the power to do this; all governments have an obligation to respect, protect and fulfill human rights for all people in their jurisdiction.
The United Nations recognizes that everyone has inherent value simply because they are alive; however, different countries have different ways of expressing this idea through laws or policies that govern how people live together within them.
Some countries also recognize additional factors that make certain people more worthy of protection than others based on how they were born such as race, where they were born the country, what language they speak and so on – but these factors have nothing at all do with whether or not someone deserves their basic right not to be mistreated while living under those laws or policies
What are some examples of human rights issues?
Human rights are protected in a variety of areas. Examples include:
- Freedom of speech – freedom to express ideas and opinions
- Freedom of religion – freedom to practice one’s own religion without interference from the government
- Freedom of assembly – the right to gather together peacefully
- Freedom from discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity or other factors. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination provides that states should “guarantee the right of everyone…to equality before the law” and prohibit “all discrimination based on race”. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights similarly provides that all persons shall enjoy equal protection under law regardless of their race, color or national origin; this includes equal access to justice before courts which provide public trials without undue delay by competent tribunals established by law. These provisions have been recognized as being part of customary international law for over half a century.
How are human rights protected in Australian law?
Human rights are protected in Australian law through the following main means.
1. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a treaty that protects civil, political, and economic rights. It does not protect social or cultural rights, but it does protect economic, social and cultural rights.
2. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a treaty that protects economic, social and cultural rights. It does not protect civil or political rights, but it does protect economic and social rights.
3. The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is a treaty that protects racial discrimination. It does not protect cultural or political discrimination.
4. The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a treaty that protects gender discrimination. It does not protect cultural or political discrimination.
5. The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) is a treaty that protects torture, cruel treatment and degrading punishment. It does not protect cultural or political discrimination.
6. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC)
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC) is a legally binding treaty that protects the rights of children. It was designed to ensure that all children have an opportunity to develop their potential to the fullest extent possible, by affirming their right to life, survival and development; their right to be free from all forms of discrimination; and their right to protection from economic exploitation.
7. Regional Treaties and Conventions: Asia-Pacific Forum Human Rights Declaration, the Pacific Islands Forum Biketawa Declaration, ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, etc.
Regional Treaties and Conventions: Asia-Pacific Forum Human Rights Declaration, the Pacific Islands Forum Biketawa Declaration, ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, etc. are international legal documents that affirm the principles set out in the CROC and other conventions. These documents are important because they provide a framework for regional cooperation on human rights issues within each country’s borders, but also as a global movement for protecting human rights worldwide.
8. Other UN Declarations:
Other UN Declarations include: Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Convention on Cultural Diversity; Convention Against Torture; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
What Is the Importance of Human Right Protection?
Human rights protection is very important because it protects the basic civil and political rights of all people. It also protects the rights of individuals to life, liberty and security of person, or property. Human rights are the basic rights that everyone has regardless of race, religion, gender or other differences.
The importance of human rights protection cannot be overstated. It is an essential part of what makes us human, and it is an integral part of our ability to function as a society. Without these protections, we would not be able to live together in peace or contribute our best efforts toward building a better world for future generations.
Human rights protection is an essential part of human dignity and self-determination. It is also necessary for social harmony and progress both within individual countries, between countries, and across borders worldwide.
Without these protections, there would be no hope for preventing authoritarian regimes from taking control over their citizens’ lives or even worse: no hope for preventing extreme forms of discrimination against individuals based on their race, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation/identity.
Conclusion
As we have seen, human rights are protected in Australia by a range of laws and international conventions. This is important because it ensures that all people living in this country can be treated equally under the law and enjoy the same basic rights as anyone else. The Australian Government has made an ongoing commitment to upholding these rights through various measures, including passing new legislation where necessary.
FAQs
1. What are Human Rights?
Human rights are the fundamental, inalienable rights that all people have as members of the human race. These include the right to life, liberty, security and dignity. They also include the right to live free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any other grounds.
2. Why Is It Important to Protect Human Rights?
Human rights are important because they help us to build a more peaceful and equitable society. When people have these basic freedoms and opportunities available to them, they are able to thrive and develop their full potential.
3. What Are the Different Types of Human Rights?
There are two main types of human rights: civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR). Civil and political rights cover things like freedom from torture or cruel treatment; freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention; fair trial; protection from discrimination based on sex, race or religion; etcetera.
4. What is the difference between a civil right and a human right?
A civil right is an aspect of government policy that affects only citizens within a specific country or region for example: voting rights or freedom of assembly. A human right is something that applies to all humans worldwide; it applies regardless of nationality or location.