:format():fill())
Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, presented the awards in front of more than 500 people in Sydney - and more online. She applauded the outstanding achievements of the 21 finalists.
“Now, more than ever, it’s time to uphold human rights and strive for a world in which every person can live in peace and dignity.” said Professor Croucher.
“Collectively these individuals and organisations courageously work for social justice, respect, and equality. They draw on lived experiences, skills, and strategy to advocate, represent and tell stories, to benefit Australian society as a whole. “
The other award recipients were:
Gabriel Osborne (Young People’s Award)
Northern Pictures (Media and Creative Industries Award)
Advocacy Tasmania (Community Award)
Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (Law Award)
The Awards also commemorated 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark the occasion, Commonwealth Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP talked about the meaning and impact of the Declaration in Australia for the annual Human Rights Day Oration.
This landmark document underscores the indivisibility and inalienability of the human rights of every individual, including rights to life, liberty, dignity, equality, security, education, employment, healthcare, privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, to seek asylum as well as the prohibition of slavery and torture.