Annual Report 1999-2000: Appendix 1
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
Appendix 1
International instruments
observed under legislation administered by the Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission Act
The International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights deals with many human rights and
includes the right without discrimination to:
- freedom from
torture or cruel and inhumane punishment
- equality before
the law
- humane treatment
if deprived of liberty
- freedom of
thought, conscience and religion
- peaceful assembly
- a vote and election
by equal suffrage
- marriage and
family
The Declaration of
the Rights of the Child provides that every child has the right to:
- a name and nationality
- adequate nutrition,
housing and medical services
- education
- special treatment,
education and care if the child has a disability
- adequate care,
affection and security
- protection
from neglect, cruelty and exploitation
The Declaration on
the Rights of Disabled Persons provides that people with disabilities
have the right to:
- respect and
dignity
- assistance
to enable them to become as self-reliant as possible
- education,
training and work
- family and social
life
- protection
from discriminatory treatment
The Declaration on
the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons provides that people with a mental
disability have the right to:
- proper medical
care and therapy
- protection
from exploitation, abuse and degrading treatment
- a decent standard
of living
- education, training
and work
- due process
of law review of procedures which may deny them these rights
The International
Labour Organisation Convention 111 deals with discrimination in employment
and occupation. Australian adherence to this Convention provides that
all people have the right to equal treatment in employment and occupation
without discrimination on the basis of:
- race
- colour
- sex
- religion
- political opinion
- national extradition
- social origin
- age
- medical record
- criminal record
- sexual preference
- trade union
activity
- marital status
- nationality
- disability (whether
physical, intellectual, psychiatric or mental)
- impairment (including
HIV/AIDS status)
The Convention on
the Rights of the Child confirms that children are entitled to the full
range of human rights recognised in international law (subject to limitations
relating to their capacity to exercise these rights and to the responsibilities
of families). The Convention also recognises a range of rights relating
to the special needs of children. It seeks to ensure that the protection
of these rights in law and practice is improved.
The Declaration on
the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based
on Religion or Belief became part of the definition of human rights for
the purposes of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act on 24 February
1994. The Declaration recognises the right to freedom of religion. The
only limitations to this right are those prescribed by law and which are
necessary to protect public safety, order, health, morals or the fundamental
rights and freedoms of others.
Racial Discrimination Act
The International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination aims
at the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination in order to promote
understanding between races and provide freedom from racial segregation.
It is entered into force for Australia by the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination
Act 1975 in which it is scheduled.
Sex Discrimination Act
The Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and certain
aspects of the International Labour (ILO) Convention 156 are multilateral
agreements adopted under the auspices of the General Assembly of the United
Nations in 1979. The Conventions recognise the civil, political, economic,
social and cultural rights of women. The Commonwealth Sex Discrimination
Act 1984 implemente
Last
updated 1 December 2001.