The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70: protection of human rights in Australia

ABSTRACT

This commentary reflects on the legacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on its 70th anniversary, in terms of the protection of human rights within Australia. I reflect on Australia’s failure to implement domestically the terms of the two founding Covenants, and the resulting piecemeal protections that exist for human rights. I finish by considering the growing complexities in understanding human rights, responsibilities, and limits.

KEYWORDS:

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• human rights
• Australia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

* This article is derived from my comments at a roundtable, ‘The UN Declaration of Human Rights at 70: Looking Forward, Looking Back’, hosted by the Graduate Centre in Governance and International Affairs, University of Queensland, 5 September 2018.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katharine Gelber

Katharine Gelber is Professor of Politics and Public Policy at the University of Queensland.