Human Rights

 

Contents:

Introduction

Human and trade union rights are universal and indivisible.

The AEU has a firm commitment to international involvement and the protection of human and trade union rights. It has played a constructive role the promotion of these through its involvement with international organisations such as the Education International and the Council of Pacific Education; international development programs and projects through the International Trust Fund; Australian organisations such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Council for Overseas Aid and Union Aid Abroad.

The Australian Education Union's policy on International Affairs declares our strong commitment to the achievement of human rights standards but notes that there are numerous instances of violations of basic human rights in many countries. Education workers have often been the targets of human rights violations.

The AEU Federal Women's Conference in 2003 addressed human rights issues evident within schools, such as homophobia, indigenous education, gender equity and racism resulting from Australia's treatment of asylum seekers. This Human Rights section is the result of a recommendation from that conference. It aims to raise awareness of Human Rights and provide knowledge and skills for members to actively advocate for human rights in our work and personal lives, as well as visibly promote the human rights work the union is already undertaking. Resolutions of the 2003 AEU Federal Women's Conference can be found here.

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AEU RESOURCES

AEU Campaigns/Resources

  • AEU Human Rights Training Manual - this kit, launched in 2000, is currently being converted into electronic form and will be available here soon.
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Refugees Campaign
  • National Coalition Against Poverty
  • Say No To Racism
  • Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Inquiry into Paid Maternity Leave

    AEU Articles/Policies etc.

  • Working and Teaching for a Peaceful World Policy - AEU Federal Conference 2003
  • No War - AEU Federal Conference 2003
  • International Resolution 2002
  • War Is Not The Alternative - AEU Federal Women's Conference 2002 resolution
  • Justice and Safety for Women and Children in a Globalised World - Speech Susan Hopgood, AEU Federal Deputy Secretary, 2002
  • "War and Peace" - Australian Educator, Autumn 2003, No. 37, page18
  • "On the Front Line" - Australian Educator, Autumn 2003, No. 37, page 16 (Teachers and Trade Unionists in Zimbabwe)
  • "Only the Brave" - Australian Educator, Autumn 2003, No. 37, page 26 (Columbian Teachers & Trade Unionism)

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    EXTERNAL RESOURCES

    Universal Rights Network

    Created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Universal Rights Network site contains news, statistics, stories and contact people on many related human rights issues. The AEU sponsors the “Universal Rights Network” which is located on the AEU website and contains comprehensive information for students and teachers on human rights and industrial rights. The site receives up to 9000 hits per month. Information on Women's Rights is already located on the Women's Focus section of the AEU website, however is also covered in some detail on the URN site.

    Teaching Resources from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

    The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has developed a series of teaching resources which members may find useful.

    The Bringing them Home Education Module has been produced for Australian schools by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. It is an interactive, resource rich human rights education module based on the stories, findings, recommendations and responses to the report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families.

    Paid maternity leave is second in the Current Issues series of activities for upper primary and secondary students and there are also several other cases studies regarding human rights issues.

    An example of teaching materials available for paid maternity leave include:

  • a fact sheet;
  • a case study;
  • four structured activities;
  • teaching notes; and
  • an interview with the Sex Discrimination Commissioner

    You can find a concise explanation of other AEU recommended content on the HREOC site or you can browse through the HREOC information section.

  • Amnesty International

    The Australian Amnesty International website is a very comprehensive website. Its home page covers:

  • Current Campaigns
  • What's in the News
  • Quick Links
  • How you can become involved

    Follow the Resources for Teachers link to find kits and lesson plans

    It also has its own Search Engine where anything that Amnesty has been involved in since 1961 can be found. (For instance, a brief history of Amnesty International, Human Rights etc.)

  • Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA

    The website contains:

  • Campaigns
  • Burma Education Resource
  • Overseas Projects:
  • Cambodia (Employment of Women)
  • East Timor (Training, Skills and Rebuilding)
  • India (Child Labour)
  • Links (including an extensive range of Human Rights Agencies)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (HREOC)

    One of the best sources of information regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues is currently the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice page. Since the abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), the HREOC Social Justice website instead offers detailed resources for students interested in obtaining information on Indigenous issues.

    The material covered on the website is managed through sub-menus including:

    Information Sheets
    Index of Social Justice Resources
    Media releases on Indigenous issues
    Native Title
    Stolen Children
    International issues
    Social Justice Reports
    Native title reports
    Submissions made by the Social Justice Commissioner
    Conferences and Events
    Other Publications
    National Legal Advocacy Courses
    Statistics

    There are also links to other Indigenous websites, (including the Commonwealth Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination), that allows further exploration of Indigenous issues. The AEU also has a comprehensive policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education.

    The AEU has a comprehensive policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education.

    Education International

    The Education International website "Issues" section deals with a number of human rights issues includng child labour, democracy, disabilities, education for all, gay and lesbian rights, and teachers' rights.

    Law4U

    The Law4U.com URL provides users with a State by State plain English, user friendly legal information service for Australians. It allows educators to select a topic, and gain access to relevant facts-sheets, do-it-yourself kits, forms and letters.

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    ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BODIES - STATES/TERRITORIES

    ACT ACT Human Rights Commission

  • Publications - the ACT Human Rights Act 2004
  • Making a Complaint
  • How complaints are handled
  • Making an Enquiry
  • Cases and Decisions
  • Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW

  • NSW Anti-discrimination Act 1977
  • Research Links
  • Speeches
  • Media Releases
  • Statistics
  • Service Guarantee
  • Anti-Discrimination Laws
  • Administrative Decisions Tribunal Fully searchable site.
  • NT Anti-Discrimination Commission

    ADC Information with access to newsletters

    Pamphlets include:

  • Key features of Act
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Guidelines for prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
  • Discrimination against Aboriginals
  • Disability Issues
  • Unfair termination
  • How Complaints are Handled
  • Anti-Discrimination Commission of Queensland

  • Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
  • Complaint procedure
  • Information Brochures/FAQ/Case Studies
  • Publications

    Fully searchable site.

  • SA Equal Opportunity Commission

  • Fact Sheets on all elements of the Act
  • Practical Guide to the Act
  • 'For Schools' there are sections for teachers and students

    Fully searchable site.

  • Anti-Discrimination Commission of Tasmania

  • Anti-Discrimination Act 1998
  • Function of Commissioner  
  • Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria

  • Rights
  • Responsibilities

    Resources:

    Fully searchable site.

  • WA Equal Opportunity Commission

  • Link to WA for schools area
  • Publications
  • FAQs

  • This page last updated 26 March 2008

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