What are human rights?

Human rights recognise the inherent value of each person, regardless of background, where we live, what we look like, what we think or what we believe.

They are based on principles of dignity, equality and mutual respect, which are shared across cultures, religions and philosophies. They are about being treated fairly, treating others fairly and having the ability to make genuine choices in our daily lives.

Respect for human rights is the cornerstone of strong communities in which everyone can make a contribution and feel included.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed a series of fact sheets that provide essential information on the development on human rights law.

Know your rights

Visit our Know your rights brochures.

Human rights treaties

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948, sets out the basic rights and freedoms that apply to all people. Drafted in the aftermath of World War Two, it has become a foundation document that has inspired many legally-binding international human rights laws.

The Australian Government has agreed to uphold and respect many of these human rights treaties including the:

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
• Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
• Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission has a responsibility to monitor Australia’s performance in meeting its international human rights commitments. We provide advice and recommendations so that these standards are reflected in our national laws, as well as policies and programs developed by government.

A Human Rights Act for Australia

Australia has strong sense of human rights and freedoms, but people's basic human rights are not very well protected in Australian law.

Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world that does not have a national act or charter of rights that explains what people’s basic rights are and how they can be protected.

Some states and territories in Australia have their own Human Rights Act, but Australia needs a national Human Rights Act to ensure that the rights of all people are protected, all of the time.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed a model for what a national Human Rights Act might look like, how it could function, and what it would do. 

Discrimination complaints

The Australian Human Rights Commission investigates and conciliates complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights. It does not act as an advocate or legal representative for a party to a complaint. The complaint process is simple, free and flexible. Find out more about the complaints process.

Further reading

• Explore an Introduction to Human Rights.
• Find out more about how the Australian Human Rights Commission was established.
• Review the latest News from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
• Have Your Say on the current inquiries, projects and conversations about human rights in Australia.
• Explore statistics relating to key areas of human rights in Australia.