The Human Rights Law Centre has called on the South Australian Parliament to legislate a Human Rights Act, which would benefit the lives of every person in South Australia.

In a submission to the South Australian Parliament’s Social Development Committee, the Human Rights Law Centre recommended the South Australian Government introduce an enforceable Human Rights Act or Charter that proactively promotes and protects human rights, including:

• civil and political rights; 

• economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to education, the right to health; and 

• the right to a healthy environment.

Last year, South Australia’s Parliament rushed through reactive legislation which undermined people’s right to protest. A Human Rights Act or Charter would require the South Australian Parliament to consider the human rights implications of its laws and policies, and provide people with a powerful tool to challenge injustice and prevent human rights violations.

Arif Hussein, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre said: 

“Everyone benefits when human rights are at the heart of our laws. A South Australian Human Rights Act would see better protection of human rights for all people in the state, and provide people a tool to take effective action when their rights are breached.”

“South Australian civil society organisations have been calling for a Human Rights Act for some time. They know from the experience of Victoria, Queensland and the ACT that enforceable human rights standards help everyone. A Human Rights Act  would prevent people from being unjustly evicted from public housing; it would ensure everyone can access medical treatment; and every child can get a good education.”

Read the Human Rights Law Centre’s submission here

Media Contact:
Thomas Feng (he/him)
Human Rights Law Centre
0431 285 275 thomas.feng@hrlc.org.au