Justice Kirby to deliver lecture
Rights Australia presents
The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG
delivering
The inaugural John Marsden Lecture
Wednesday 15 October 2008, commencing at 6.30pm
The Ionic Room, Sydney Masonic Centre
66 Goulburn Street (corner Castlereagh St), Sydney
60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration
Several Australian human rights organisations have met to propose some initiatives for Australia to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. Dr HV Evatt, Australia’s Minister for External Affairs in the Chifley Labor Government, was the President of the General Assembly and chaired the session at which the UDHR was passed. Australia was one of the eight States given responsibility for drafting the Declaration and so it was fitting that its Minister chaired the session that adopted it.
In 2008, the United Nations is observing a 60th anniversary year that will culminate with the anniversary itself on 10 December 2008. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on States to undertake their own programs of activities to mark the anniversary. The Rudd Labor Government could adopt a package of important human rights initiatives for Australia’s observance. This short paper proposes elements for that package.