Human Rights

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:

• recognition and equality before the law;
• the right to life;
• the right not to be subject to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment;
• the right not to be subject to medical treatment or experimentation without consent;
• the right to privacy and reputation;
• rights of the family and children;
• the right to participate in public life;
• freedom of expression;
• freedom of thought, conscience and religious belief;
• rights of minorities to enjoy their culture;
• freedom of movement;
• the right to a fair trial and rights in criminal proceedings;
• freedom from forced work;
• rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
• right to education; and
• right to work and rights in work.

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.

Human Rights Commissioner

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.

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