About Human Rights

Arts Law supports a federal Charter of Human Rights for Australia enshrining a right to freedom of expression, both artistic and cultural, and giving positive legal recognition to the cultural heritage rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. Arts Law advocates for artists’ rights in alignment with Australia’s international human rights obligations including commitment to economic, social and cultural rights and, in particular, Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights. Arts Law’s advocacy work in the area of human rights gives particular emphasis to freedom of artistic expression generally and to the rights of artists who are of a minority or disadvantaged background. The Centre actively campaigns against laws and policies which are discriminatory, including those which are inconsistent with the Racial Discrimination Act.