The concept of human rights is very broad. It includes rights to adequate food and shelter, free speech and a fair trial. In the Australian community human rights are generally understood to mean the right to be treated fairly and not to be discriminated against. Everyone has human rights regardless of sex, race, disability or religion or whether a person is lawfully within the territory of Australia.
Human rights allow people to live a life that they choose free from discrimination and harassment.
Human rights are usually divided into two groups civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. Civil and political rights protect people from any unfair exercise of power by the government. Economic and social rights include such rights as adequate health care, education, a clean environment and welfare assistance. In the last 50 years, under the authority of the United Nations, the international community has developed a number of international declarations and conventions that cover human rights. Australia has become a party to many of these.