Legal Human rights sylabus quizz

• Themes and challenges to be incorporated throughout this topic

  • the changing understanding of the relationship between state sovereignty and human rights
  • issues of compliance and non-compliance in relation to human rights
  • the development of human rights as a reflection of changing values and ethical standards
  • the role of law reform in protecting human rights
  • the effectiveness of legal and non-legal measures in protecting human rights
• Students learn about


  • The nature and development of human rights
  • Promoting and enforcing human rights
  • Investigate a contemporary issue which illustrates the promotion and/or enforcement of human rights
• Human rights


  The definition of human rights
• Developing recognition of human rights

  • the abolition of slavery
  • trade unionism and labour rights
  • universal suffrage
  • universal education
  • self-determination
  • environmental rights
  • peace rights
• Formal statements of human rights

  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• State sovereignty


  The role of state sovereignty in promoting and enforcing human rights
• Roles in the international community

  • the United Nations
  • intergovernmental organisations
  • courts, tribunals and independent statutory authorities
  • non-government organisations
  • the media
• Roles in Australia


  • the Constitution, including division of powers and separation of powers
  • statute law
  • common law
  • courts and tribunals
  • non-government organisations
  • the media
  • a Charter of Rights (arguments for and against)
• Contemporary issues to investigate

  • genocide
  • treatment of refugees
  • asylum seekers
  • child soldiers
  • abuse of children
  • torture
  • capital punishment
  • arbitrary detention
  • religious discrimination
  • discrimination against women
  • exploitation of workers
  • human trafficking and slavery
  • limitations on free speech
• Students learn to


  • define human rights
  • outline how human rights have changed and developed over time
  • investigate the evolving recognition and importance of universal human rights
  • examine major human rights documents and explain their contribution to the development of human rights
  • assess the role of state sovereignty in promoting and enforcing human rights
  • evaluate the effectiveness of international responses in promoting and enforcing human rights
  • outline how human rights are incorporated into Australian domestic law
  • evaluate the effectiveness of Australian responses in promoting and enforcing human rights
  • discuss the arguments for and against a Charter of Rights for Australia
  • investigate a contemporary human rights issue and evaluate the effectiveness of legal and non-legal responses to the issue