101 cases

of how Human Rights ACTS make our lives better

No matter who we are or where we are, our lives are better when we all treat each other with fairness and respect and when we can all enjoy our rights and freedoms. Human Rights Acts and Charters promote respect for human rights and give people power to take action if their rights are breached.

The 101 cases set out here highlight the benefits Human Rights Acts and Charters have brought to people in the ACT, Victoria and Queensland. These cases also highlight the need for a national Human Rights Act, as well the need for Acts or Charters in states and territories which do not yet have them.

We designed this resource to inspire people to use Human Rights Acts and Charters where they exist in Australia; and to join with others in calling for a national Human Rights Act and Charters in every state and territory.

Click here to add your name to the call for a Human Rights Act.

 
 

CASE STUDIES

Aboriginal children jailed in adult prison: Human Rights Act in action

Bendigo mosque and freedom of religion: Human Rights Act in action

Will Ingram and the right to equality: Human Rights Act in action

Queensland and the right to housing: Human Rights Act in action

The right to education for children seeking asylum: Human Rights Act in action

Victorian pandemic laws: Victorian Charter of Rights in action

 

101 Cases

Human Rights Acts and Charters Make Our Lives Better.
Here are 101 cases showing how

Case 10: Family in need of accessible social housing offered support after long delay

After an Aboriginal woman with a disability, and her three children, were forced to vacate their social housing, the woman lodged a complaint regarding the length of time taken to arrange modifications to ensure she could shower and access the kitchen safely.

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Case 21: Coroner investigates the role of systemic racism in the death in police custody of proud Yorta Yorta woman Aunty Tanya Day

Proud Yorta Yorta woman Aunty Tanya Day –a much-loved sister, mother, grandmother and advocate - died in December 2017 after being arrested for being drunk in a public place after she fell asleep on a train.

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Case 86: Supreme Court finds that children held in maximum security prison were deprived of their human rights

After riot damage to a youth justice centre, the Victorian Government set up a new youth justice centre in a unit in the maximum security adult Barwon Prison and started transferring children as young as 15 there.

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Case 88: Police express regret about asking traditional custodians to move on while exercising their cultural rights

Adrian Burragubba, a leader of the Wangan and Jagalingou people, and his family were camping, practicing their culture and performing traditional ceremonies on a pastoral lease area.

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