Human Rights

Question 0

With reference to ONE independent statutory authority, explain how this organisation has assisted in the protection of human rights.

Answer 0

Includes either; HRC or CESCR. Makes reference to:

• CESCR monitors the implementation of the ICESCR, by its states parties. (18 members, meet three times a year to consider 5-yearly reports submitted by UN member states in regards to ICESCR).
• HRC investigate and concilliate complaints of alleged discrimination and human rights breaches. (AHRC Act 1986, Age Discrimination Act 2004, Racial Discrimination Act 1975, Sex Discrimination Act 1984, Disability Discrimination Act 1992).

Question 1

Define Environmental Rights

Answer 1

Are means to an access to the unspoiled natural resources that enable survival, including land, shelter, food, water and air. Includes the right for an individual to enjoy an unspoiled landscape.

Question 2

Evaluate the effectiveness of Australian Responses in promoting and enforcing human rights.

Answer 2

Includes:

• Reason for variation in effectiveness of promoting and enforcing human rights.
• Examples of Australian DOMESTIC responses; cases, legislation, constitution etc.
• Final evaluation on effectiveness of Australian responses, either effective or not.

Question 3

Identify a contemporary human rights issue, and outline the legal and non-legal international and domestic responses to the issue. Make a judgement as to the effectiveness of the responses to the issue.

Answer 3

Includes:

• Slavery/ Human Trafficking:
• Slave Ship Zong (

Question 4

How is the right to an education protected?

Answer 4

Includes:

• Education is a fundamental human right that is protected in international instruments such as the UDHR and the ICESCR.
• Domestically the right to education is protected by Commonwealth, State and Territory laws such as the Education act 1990 (NSW).

Question 5

How does the United Nations assist in the protection of human rights?

Answer 5

Includes:

• An overarching statement describing the role of the United Nations, such as to promote, encourage, educate, collaborate and investigate human rights on a global as well as a nation by nation basis
• Reference to the various organs of the UN and their role in protecting human rights, eg, General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court.
• The role member nations play in the ratification and enactment into domestic legislation of UN standards for human rights protection
• The role of UN organs in peacekeeping and reporting on nations who breach human rights, which may include specific examples such as Syria and North Korea.
• The role sovereignty plays in limiting the ability of the United Nations to adequately assist in the protection of human rights.
• Reference to UN treaties, declarations and conventions which seek to protect human rights such as the UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR.

Question 6

Explain how changing values have been reflected in the promotion and enforcement of ONE human rights issue.

Answer 6

Includes:

• Reference to a specific issue such as the abolition of slavery or universal suffrage
• An historical outline of changing attitudes to a particular human rights issue and how these changing attitudes have been reflected in the enforcement and protection of the human rights issue.
• Reference to the way in which societal norms have shifted the way in which human rights are promoted and enforced either in a specific nation or as a global standard.
• Reference to international instruments, human rights documents and domestic legislation which seek to enforce a particular human right issue.
• Reference to the role of various non-government organizations as well as print media, social media, film and television to illustrate the way in which changing values are reflected in the promotion of a human right issue.
• A clear connection between the issue and how changing values are reflected in the promotion and/or enforcement of this issue, eg, ‘exposing the horrific treatment of women and children’ or ‘through the various media campaigns people are witnessing first-hand the barbaric way in which young children are denied their right to education, security of person’.
• May refer to the changing values actually working in either a positive or negative capacity in terms of promotion and enforcement