Charter of Rights: That is the question
A charter of rights once set into the Constitution is a strong legislative document that protects the rights of all people, cannot be infringed by government, and in particular can only be changed by a vote of the people.
The United Nations on the Rights of Persons with disabilities was ratified by the Australian government on 18 July 2008. Subsequently it was learned that the Rights protected by the Convention, on their own, had no value, and could only be effective if they could actually be used – that is, the Convention had no worth unless it was recognised under Australian law. Furthermore, Australia is the only democratic country in the world that does not have a Bill or Charter of Rights, and as long as this situation continues, the government cannot extend the Rights in the Convention to persons with disabilities.
The government recognises the inequalities in human rights for people with disabilities, and recognises the Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities, but there is no Charter of Rights to enforce and protect the rights of people with disabilities. A National Human Rights Consultation Committee has been consulting across the nation, hearing stories from all those who have experienced human right abuses, including people with disabilities.
Submissions can be made as part of the consultation up until 15 June 2009. To support all those who have submitted stories and evidence of abuse, Queensland Advocacy Inc. (QAI), has met with other like organisations and retained a human rights lawyer to formulate a submission as part of the consultation process, articulating a strong policy position on the need for an Australian Charter or Rights, that encompasses supporting reasons why such a charter should be incorporated into the Constitution. Other organisations are called upon to support the submission by communicating evidence of human rights abuse of people with disabilities. People with disabilities, their families and friends are called on to also provide the consultation process with evidence of examples on how their human right has not been met.
The Spinal Injuries Association encourages you to think about the following three questions, and then respond to them.
- What does human rights mean to you?
- Do you have a story or stories where your human rights were not met?
- How could Australia better meet your human rights?
Send your submission in support of your human rights to:
National Human Rights Consultation Secretariat
Attorney-General’s Department
Central Office, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
Or submit on line and click on share your views.
