National Human Rights Consultation Submission
AGWW-7SZDTM Name: Submission Text: National Human Rights Consultation Submission Which human rights (and responsibilities) should be protected and promoted? I believe that the following rights should be protected and promoted: · Right to life. · Right to freedom of speech and expression. This right should be used responsibly and not to incite hatred or violence. Speech should not be discriminatory or racist. · Civil rights such as the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and all rights outlined in the principles of natural justice. · Equality before the law. · Adequate standards of imprisonment. · Right to chose, voluntary euthanasia. · Adequate standards of living. Individuals should have the responsibility of doing all they can to ensure this. · Right to a high standard of education. Responsibility to actively participate and show interest in your education. · Rights of youth to have their voices heard. Are these human rights sufficiently protected and promoted? These human rights are not sufficiently protected and promoted. There are a few incidences in particular that have caused me concerns. The treatment and detention of asylum seekers (the conditions in places such as Woomera detention centres) and the disparities in between the living conditions of indigenous and other Australians are two examples of situations in which human rights have not been sufficiently protected. Particular attention needs to be paid to the rights of children and young people in these cases. The anti-terror legislation, as exemplified by the treatment of Doctor Mohamed Haneef, has seriously impinged on the civil rights of Australians. I attended a youth forum on human rights and also the Community Roundtable in Hobart and racism and discrimination were raised as particular concerns. A young African migrant told his story of being introduced to a girl by his friend. The girl refused to shake is hands claiming that she did not want to catch aids. How could Australia better protect and promote human rights? I believe that a piece of legislation should be enacted to consolidate and reaffirm the human rights of all Australians. Beyond this education is very important, especially in decreasing discrimination in communities. Education of Australian's rights so that people feel able to act when their rights have been impinged and so that we all know our responsibility to respect and protect the rights of others is needed to ensure the Act is more than just words. %0A Laura McIlhenny

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