Human Rights

When human rights are respected, embedded and enforced, society is fairer and better for everyone. 

 

Principles

The NT Greens believe: 

  1. Political, cultural, environmental, civil, social and economic rights are fundamental, universal, indivisible and interdependent, and must be respected, protected and promoted.
  2. Our society should be one that protects and values the rights of all people, with particular protections for the most marginalised.
  3. We should do everything we can to: 
    1. prevent human rights violations;
  1. challenge injustice;
  2. foster understanding and respect for human rights across the NT;
  3. ensure the decisions and actions of our governments and public authorities are guided by the values of freedom, equality and dignity; and
  4. ensure people can get justice when their rights are violated by the government or a public authority.

 

Aims

The NT Greens want:

1.To eliminate discrimination against people or groups of people on the basis of: 

a. race;

b. age; 

c. disability; 

d. gender identity; 

e. industrial or trade union activity; 

f. lawful sexual activity; 

g. breast/chest feeding; 

h. pregnancy; 

i. parental or carer status; 

j. physical features; 

k. relationship status; 

l. religious or political belief or activity; 

m. sex; 

n. sex characteristics; 

o. sexual orientation; 

p. personal association with a person who is identified by reference to any of the above attributes; 

q. or other grounds corresponding to historical and ongoing systemic oppression.

 

2. A strong and enforceable Human Rights Act which includes: 

a. Protection of the fundamental human rights that Australia has agreed to uphold under core international human rights conventions, including civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights (such as rights to culture, housing, health and education);

b. A strong mechanism for parliamentary scrutiny of legislation for compliance with the Act;

c. A requirement that public authorities must act consistently with human rights and consider human rights when making decisions;

d. A requirement that NT courts must interpret legislation consistently with human rights if possible to do so, and may issue declarations of incompatibility with the Human Rights Act; and

e. Meaningful and accessible remedies for individuals seeking redress for violations of their human rights, including the ability to challenge decisions of public authorities.

 

3. To establish a NT Human Rights Commission which would have a range of functions, including providing education, research and advice about human rights, and monitoring human rights protection. 


4. A properly funded Anti-Discrimination Commission to monitor compliance with the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT), investigate complaints, and raise awareness about rights and responsibilities.