Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission welcomes the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities

01/01/2008

Victoria takes an important step forward today as the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities comes into full force. Victoria is now the first Australian state to enshrine an agreed set of human rights, freedoms and responsibilities in law.

The Charter compels State and local government to take human rights into account when developing policies and legislation and when delivering services. This ensures that everyone is treated fairly now, and also ensures fair treatment by future governments.

Some of the rights outlined in the Charter include the right to life, freedom of speech, the right to privacy and freedom from inhumane treatment.

Under the Charter, the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission assumes the important role of “human rights watchdog” for Victoria.

Chief Executive Officer, Dr Helen Szoke, said the Commission had a number of responsibilities under the new legislation.

One of the Commission’s main functions under the Charter is to report on its implementation and operation,” she said. “The Commission's first report is due to be delivered to the Attorney-General in February 2008.”

The first report will focus on the steps government has taken to prepare for the introduction of the Charter. The Commission has surveyed Victorian government departments, Victoria Police and local councils to find out what preparations have been made to meet their new Charter obligations.

Dr Szoke said community engagement around human rights is a priority for the Commission. “The report outlines how we will engage with the community to ensure that future annual reports include a community perspective.”

"We want to talk with the Victorian community about human rights, and we want community feedback about how the Charter is functioning on-the-ground. This is particularly important in preparation of the review of the Charter in 2011.”

Dr Helen Szoke said one of the key outcomes of the introduction of the introduction of the Charter is to help to build a culture of human rights.

"The Commission will promote a human rights culture by helping Victorians to understand their protections and the responsibilities of public bodies,” she said. “We will also advocate for the rights contained in the Charter.”

The full report will be tabled in Parliament in February and available to the public in March 2008.

Media contact: Slavka Scott 0419337732 or (03) 92817150