Submissions - ESC Rights

Housing Rights: Submission on the Adequacy of Public Housing in Victoria (Jan 2010)

In January 2010, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre made a Submission to the Victorian Legislative Council Family and Community Development Committee’s inquiry into the adequacy and future directions of public housing in Victoria.
The Centre submits that the future direction of public housing requires a holistic rights-based approach from government, based on the legislative entrenchment [...]

Submission on the 5-year Review of the ACT Human Rights Act (Oct 2009)

The ACT Government conducted an inquiry into the operation of the ACT Human Rights Act (the HR Act), and particularly sought input into the debate on protecting economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights) within the HR Act.    The HRLRC made a submission to the inquiry, arguing that all ESC rights in the International Covenant [...]

Women’s Rights: Submission on Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace (Oct 2009)

Earlier this year the Federal Minister for the Status of Women announced a Review of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace and Agency (EOWA) and its underlying legislation (EOWW Act). 
The review comes at a time when indicators show a decline in women’s workplace equality.    Currently, only 8.3% of Board Directorships are held by [...]

Right to Health: Briefing Paper on Australia to UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health (Sept 2009)

In September 2009, the HRLRC prepared a Briefing Paper on Health and Human Rights in Australia for the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Anand Grover, in advance of his country mission to Australia in November and December 2009.
The Briefing Paper considers a range of issues regarding realisation of the right to health [...]

Housing Rights: Submission to Australian Parliament on Homelessness Legislation (Aug 2009)

On 28 August 2009, the Centre made a Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth inquiry into proposed homelessness legislation for Australia. 
Homelessness is a human rights issue and is both a cause and a consequence of poverty and other human rights violations.  Therefore, the Centre submitted that the [...]

OP-ICESCR: Australia Can Provide International Leadership and Ratify OP-ICESCR (July 2009)

In September 2009 the Optional Protocol to the ICSECR opens for signature.  The Optional Protocol to the ICESCR establishes three important mechanisms for bringing violations of economic, social and cultural rights before the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, namely an individual communication mechanism, an inter-state complaint mechanism and an inquiry procedure.
On 1 [...]

ICESCR: Committee Releases Landmark Report on Australia (May 2009)

UN Committee Calls on Australia to Invest in Human Rights in Landmark Report
Historic First as Treaty Body Calls on Australia to Address Climate Change and Increase Foreign Aid
The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has urged Australia to make human rights a priority at a time when the global financial crisis threatens the [...]

ICESCR: NGO Reports for UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Review of Australia (May 2009)

The UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights will review Australia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva on 5 and 6 May 2009. 
On 4 May 2009, a non-government delegation, comprising representatives from the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, the National Association of Community Legal Centres and Kingsford Legal Centre, will brief the [...]

Equality Rights: Submission to UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Draft General Comment on Non-Discrimination (Dec 2008)

In late 2008, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights called for submissions on its draft General Comment 20 on Non-Discrimination.
The draft General Comment examines the various obligations contained in article 2(2) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).  It also analyses the prohibited grounds of discrimination and makes comments [...]

ESC Rights: Optional Protocol to ICESCR – Australia Urged to Support Negotiation of Text (March 2008)

On 13 March 2008, the Centre wrote to the Attorney General, the Hon Rob McClelland MP, calling on the Australian Government to strongly support the negotiation and adoption of an effective, comprehensive complaints and inquiries mechanism for the ICESCR.  Click here for a copy of the letter.
The UN Working Group on the Optional Protocol to the [...]

Social Security: General Comment on the Human Right to Social Security (Nov 2007 and June 2006)

On 23 November 2007, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted General Comment 19 on the Right to Social Security under article 9 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
A General Comment is an authoritative statement by a treaty body of the content and application of a particular right [...]