Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights is available on the United Nations website And sets out the basic human rights and freedoms that are considered essential for all humans.
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities is a Victorian Law which sets out the basic rights, freedoms and responsibilities of all people in Victoria and relates to the relationship between the Victorian Government and people it serves (Victorian Charter).
The Victorian Charter contains twenty basic rights (summarised below) that promote and protect the values of freedom, respect, equality and dignity. More information on the Victorian Charter can be found here.
Victorian Charter
All Victorians have a:
Right to recognition and equality before the law (section 8)
Everyone is entitled to equal and effective protection against discrimination, and to enjoy their human rights without discrimination.
Right to life (section 9)
Every person has the right to life and to not have their life taken. The right to life includes a duty on the Government to take appropriate steps to protect the right to life.
Right to protection from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (section 10)
People must not be tortured. People must also not be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way. This includes protection from treatment that humiliates a person. People must not be subjected to medical treatment or experiments without their full and informed consent.
Right to freedom from forced work (section 11)
A person must not be forced to work or be made a slave. A person is a slave when someone else has complete control over them and is forced to obey that person.
Right to freedom of movement (section 12)
People can stay in or leave Victoria whenever they want to as long as they are there lawfully. They can move around freely within Victoria and choose where they live.
Right to privacy and reputation (section 13)
Everyone has the right to keep their lives private. Your family, home or personal information cannot be interfered with, unless the law allows it.
Right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief (section 14)
People have the freedom to think and believe what they want, for example, religion. They can do this in public or private, as part of a group or alone.
Right to freedom of expression (section 15)
People are free to say what they think and want to say. They have the right to find, receive and share information and ideas. In general, this right might be limited to respecting the rights and reputation of other people, or for the protection of public safety and order.
Right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association (section 16)
People have the right to join groups or unions and to meet peacefully.
Right to protection of families and children (section 17)
Families are entitled to protection. Children have the same rights as adults with added protection according to their best interests.
Right to taking part in public life (section 18)
Every person has the right to take part in public life and services, such as the right to vote or run for public office.
Cultural rights (section 19)
People can have different family, religious or cultural backgrounds. They have a right to enjoy their culture, declare and practice their religion and use their languages. Aboriginal persons hold distinct cultural rights.
Property rights (section 20)
People are protected from having their property taken, unless the law says it can be taken.
Right to liberty and security of person (section 21)
Everyone has the right to freedom and security. This right includes the right to not be arrested or detained except in accordance with the law. The right to security means that reasonable steps must be taken to ensure the physical safety of people who are in danger of physical harm.
Right to humane treatment when deprived of liberty (section 22)
People have the right to be treated humanely, with respect and dignity if they are accused of breaking the law and are detained.
Rights of children in the criminal process (section 23)
A child charged with committing a crime or who has been detained without charge must not be held with adults. They must also be brought to trial as quickly as possible and treated in a way that is appropriate for their age. Children are entitled to opportunities for education and rehabilitation in detention.
Right to a fair hearing (section 24)
A person has a right to a fair and public hearing and to have criminal charges or civil proceedings decided by a competent, independent and impartial court or tribunal.
Rights in criminal proceedings (section 25)
There are a number of minimum guarantees that you have when you have been charged with a criminal offence. These include the right to be told the charges against you in a language you understand; the right to an interpreter if you need one; the right to have time and the facilities (such as a computer) to prepare your own case or to talk to your lawyer; the right to have your trial heard without too much delay; the right to be told about Victoria Legal Aid if you don’t already have a lawyer; you are presumed innocent until proven guilty; and you don’t have to testify against yourself or confess your guilt unless you choose to do so.
Right not to be tried or punished more than once (section 26)
A person will only go to court and be tried or punished for the same crime once. This means if the person is found guilty they will only be punished for that same crime once. If they are found to be innocent they will not be punished and cannot be tried again for that same crime.
Retrospective criminal laws (section 27)
A person has the right not to be prosecuted or punished for things that were not criminal offences at the time they were committed.
UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability
Please also see the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability - available in an Easy Read version and a child-friendly version.
These rights should guide our interactions with each other and not be knowingly breached by anyone at Hireup.