A Brief Human Rights Timeline

Explore the Brief Human Rights Timeline to trace the evolution of ethical behaviour, justice, and human dignity across civilizations.

1760 BCE

In Babylon King Hammurabi draws up the ‘Code of Hammurabi’, an early legal document that promises to ‘make justice reign in the Kingdom and promote the good of the people.’

c. 528 BCE - 486 BCE

In India, Gautama Buddha advocates morality, reverence for life, non-violence and right conduct.

500 BCE

Confucian teaching develops based on 'jen' or benevolence and respect for other people.

27 BCE - 476 CE

Roman Empire develops the concepts of natural law and the rights of citizens.

c. 26 - 33 CE

In Palestine, Jesus Christ preaches morality, tolerance, justice, forgiveness and love.  The Christian New Testament teaches equality before God: 'In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female.'

613 - 632

In Saudi Arabia, Prophet Mohammed teaches the principles of equality, justice and compassion revealed in the Qur’ān.

1215

Britain's King John is forced by his lords to sign the Magna Carta, acknowledging that free men are entitled to judgment by their peers and that even a King is not above the law. It also stated that taxes could not be demanded without first obtaining the consent of ‘the realm.’

1583 - 1645

Hugo Grotius, Dutch jurist credited with the birth of international law, speaks of brotherhood of humankind and the need to treat all people fairly.

1689

In England, Parliament adopts the Bill of Rights that curtails the power of the monarch and includes freedom from torture and from punishment without trial. The Bill sets out that it is the job of government to represent the people and their rights.

1776

US Declaration of Independence proclaims that 'all men are created equal' and endowed with certain inalienable rights.

1789

In France the National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which guarantees the rights to liberty, equality, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

1791

The United States Congress adopts their Bill of Rights, amending the US Constitution to include rights to trial by jury, freedom of expression, speech, belief and assembly.

1833

The British Parliament abolishes slavery through the Slavery Abolition Act.

1945

The United Nations is created ‘to affirm the dignity and worth of every human person.’

1948

The United Nations adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

1951

The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees ('The Refugee Convention') is adopted and opened for signature. It defines who a refugee is and what the rights and legal obligations of states are in relation to them.

1965

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is adopted and opened for signature. It is introduced to eliminate racial discrimination and promote understanding among all races.

1966

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) are adopted and opened for signature.

1979

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is adopted and opened for signature. It is introduced to prevent discrimination against, and to promote the rights of, women.

​1984

In Australia, the Sex Discrimination Act comes into force.

1984

The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is adopted and opened for signature.

1986

In Australia, the Human Rights Commission Act is enacted, which establishes a national human rights commission, today known as the Australian Human Rights Commission.

1989

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is adopted and opened for signature.

1992

In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act comes into force.

2004

In Australia, the Age Discrimination Act comes into force.

2006 - 2007

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is adopted (2006) and opened for signature (2007).

2007 

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is adopted by the United Nations in 2007, and the Australian Government announced its support for the Declaration in 2009.

2011

The United Nation adopts the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training.

2013

The first National Children's Commissioner is appointed in Australia.

Further reading

• Understand essential information on the development of human rights law through our Human Rights Explained factsheets.
• Explore accurate statistics and easy to understand information on key areas of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s work.
• Comprehend What are human rights?.