www.humanswrite.org

Public policy refers to the “the body of laws, regulations, decisions and actions of government” which effect and regulate the public. However representative democracy limits the civilian’s role in the participation of generating this policy through the reliance upon elected politicians who’s interests may or may not be aligned with the public’s.

Australia is now the only common law country in the world without a bill of rights. The UK and New Zealand have statutory bills, whilst Canada, Fiji, India, South Africa and the United States, to name but a few, have constitutional bills of rights. The notion that Australia does not need such a bill is the general position of the incumbent (Howard) government, an argument based upon the belief that the Commonwealth Constitution adequately protects our rights and that because our lawmakers are democratically elected, they will provide a sufficient safeguard to the people against misuse of power. While this may appear true for a majority who, by choice or chance fall within the realms of the status quo, this belief is based upon a fundamental lack of understanding of the law by the Australian people - almost every freedom Australians assume they have (including freedom of expression) is not actually protected in the Constitution. Particularly at risk are the rights of minorities and those with the least power and advantage in Australian society - indigenous people, immigrants, refugees, suspected ‘terrorists’ and the poor to name but a few.

In the words of Justice Kirby of the High Court of Australia: "The protection of fundamental human rights, and especially the rights of minorities, is one of the great issues of the law and of the world today."

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
-Albert Einstein

I have always claimed Americans didn't want a drink as bad as they wanted the right to take a drink if they did happen to want one. ~Will Rogers

I wish we didn't need Human Rights and that we could treat each other with kindness, respect and dignity without the need for bills and laws, but that's just naive isn't it...

In a utopian society, we would not need to legislate basic human rights and what we see as common sense would indeed, be shared by the common person.

In a perfect world, everyone would have access to the same facitilities, be it school, food, clean water, a safe environment. Home would be a safe, warm place, a place of refuge, but not from the danger of being abducted for a child army in Africa, or sold for prostition in Eastern Europe.

I realise I'm naive and it's all wishful thinking to hope for a world where children don't fear beatings and poverty and women don't face discrimination in day-to-day life, but I'd like to believe that if more people were this 'naive' and believed so strongly, things could change.

Human Rights are important because basic freedoms are needed for creative expression. Without these freedoms art would not be possible.

PEACE

Humans are such strange things. They want what they cannot have and have what they cannot afford and still they forget about the things that make life a joy.

Piecemeal approaches to creating Peace just make a meal out of it!

thank you humanswrite.org for reminding me that rights are a freedom to be exercised and not just something to think about when they are interfered with.

a broken word lies

wingless

Humans don't deserve rights, but I am glad we have them.

exist not
do we pretend us leT Let us pretend we do not exist

pico pico

micro
micro

scopic nano nano
scopic

nothing from from
nothing

big supernova bang bang
supernova big

reality this created we we
created this reality

helium, lithium, hydrogen hydrogen,
lithium, helium

atoms, nucleons, electrons electrons,
nucleons, atoms

physics universe molecular molecular
universe physics

fine-tuned
meticulously, stardust stardust, meticulously
fine-tuned

invented
actions by up made things things made up by actions
invented

understanding
skillful being how knowing knowing how being
skillful understanding

complex
security public in plumbing private
private plumbing in public security complex

hands
working light fields power mapped mapped
power fields light working hands

consciousness
collective connecting connecting
collective consciousness

society
buzzing mind relentless relentless
mind buzzing society

conforming
lust greedy greedy
lust conforming

isolation
proximal proximal isolation

heart
converting converting heart

dying
fearful fearful dying

addiction
addiction

dry
eyes dry eyes

whisper
whisper

human
human

hush
hush

solo
solo

dna
dna

am
am

i
i

?life
for needed needed for life?

Article 18.

Everyone
has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;

this
right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom,
either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to
manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and
observance.

Article 19.

Everyone
has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek,
receive and impart information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers.

Humans are rarely right when they write, but it is their right to write with left or right hand and for right or left views. This is why I support the right to write left or right, right or left.

Australia's legal system does not have a federal bill of rights to protect fundamental rights and responsibilities of all humans as expressed in international treaties and conventions ratified by Australia.  Australia is now the only remaining common law country that has not either legislated or entrenched a statement of these human rights. 

 The fact that we have no national bill of rightss reflects the views of the framers of our federal constitution, who believed that basic freedoms were adequately protected by the common law and by our elected representatives.

This view remains strongly favoured by our present government.  They have continued to take a strong stance against a bill of rights acknolweding that such a bill will curb the powers of government. I do not contest this point.  Only last week, the Attorney-General, Mr Phillip Ruddock wrote in The Australian that a "bill of rights do not protect essential freedoms - all they do is present the very real risk of having judges imposing personal opinions as law, leaving everyone else to guess about what the law might be".

A human rights charter is an imperative to ensure that at all levels of government, decisions are made which are consistent with international human rights norms.  A bill of rights or charter can focus the legislature on human rights implications for every single piece of proposed legislation.  A bill of rights can also give an independent judiciary power to remedy defects in legislation, if possible, and if not, to identify the defects and declare them incompatible with human rights standards and values.  A bill of rights can and does require decision makers to exercise thier powers and discretions so as to respect human rights.  This often involves a balancing of individual rights with those of another or against the interest of the general public.

 There is no doubt that the rights of Australians are not adequately protected.  Fundamental human rights are abrogated.  One only needs to have regard to the 'Tampa Affair', the complete failure of the Australian government to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, the mandatory detention of men, women and children, the draconian legislation directed at combatting a threat of terrorism and the loss of individual liberty to name but a few.  It is in this context that we need a bill of rights more than ever to ensure so that all Australians can enjoy and realise inalienable human rights. 

Human rights begin with religious conviction. Without faith, there can be no human rights.

We must speak out for those whose voice can no longer be heard, either by reaon of dictaroship or persecution. If we don't, we are contributing to their oppression.

For fear is at the bottom of all intolerance. No matter what form or shape a persecution may take, it is caused by fear and its very vehemence is indicative of the degree of anguish experienced by those who erect the gallows, or throw fresh logs upon the funeral pyre. Once we recognize this fact, the solution of the difficulty immediately presents itself. Man, when not under the influence of fear, is strongly inclined to be righteous and just."

Tolerance
by
Hendrik Van Loon, 1927

Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14.

(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.

(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.

(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23.

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24.

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.

(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

FOR THESE THINGS
(Dedicated to Van Nguyen)

I cannot weep for a man unknown.

But as an execution wounds the world entire
And for the stunting of a life ungrown,
For the stifling of a soul's holy fire,
And for reducing a nation to stone.

For the taking of a leaf to heaven,
By winds of noosed rope and wood,
And discarding dough not quite leavened,
Claiming it's for greater good.

For people who grieve in absentia,
And won't ever forget that dread time,

When the law decayed to dementia,
When the sentence did not fit the crime.

For taking a lamb to the slaughter,
And ignoring the beasts that he served,
For bringing our own sons and daughters
To a world with fines undeserved.

For numbing a mother's touch with cold fingers
And burning her shawl with a glare,
It seems something just like a singer pour
-ing justice through something unfair.

For these things as listed before here,

For these things I sigh, deep and clear,
I breathe with pain and emotion,

And my eyes now well salty with tear.

Rights forgotten and unknown,

Just accept humanity and compassion,

Consider your fello,

With judgement rationed,

Be not overlord or seek oppression,

Rise up, speak out and learn the lesson.

Everyone should have the right to choose, and the opportunity to do so.

this is great more humans write places

SILENT WRITER

whats with the logo of a man and a woman seperated?

doesnt that just show the underlying division and lack of rights for different types of people  

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