Human rights are universal, and enjoyed by everyone in the ACT regardless of gender, religious belief, nationality, race or any other point of difference.
The ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to enact a Human Rights Act (2004).
The Act provides an explicit statutory basis for respecting, protecting and promoting fundamental human rights. Rights protected include:
The majority of these rights reflect Australia’s international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The rights to education and work are drawn from the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The first international statement of human rights came in the form of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a United Nations Declaration that was a precursor to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
More information on these rights is available in our Human Rights factsheets.
The President and Human Rights Commissioner is Dr Helen Watchirs. (Dr Watchirs’ biography).
The Commissioner provides community education and information about the rights protected in the ACT Human Rights Act 2004.