Human rights and social security law

The United Nations World Day of Social Justice Day is a day when we recognise the injustice in our communities, examine our own privilege, and resolve to work towards a world that is just for all, not just some. 

Social Justice is at the heart of everything we do at SSRV. Our vision is for a fair and just society in which all people are able to receive a guaranteed adequate income in order to enjoy a decent standard of living.  

It’s a vision we believe Australians shares. It’s also a vision to which Australia has committed. 

Australia was involved in the drafting of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and through voting in support of the UDHR committed, internationally, to recognising that social security is a human right.

Australia is a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which recognises ‘the right of everyone to social security’.

Also, having ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Australia undertook to ‘prohibit and eliminate racial discrimination … without distinction as to… national or ethnic origin… [t]he right to public health, medical care, social security and social services’. 

SSRV works to ensure these commitments are honoured. With a focus on vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community, SSRV highlights injustices, unfair laws and practices and to propose solutions.  

This United Nations World Day of Social Justice Day, we reaffirm our commitment to make sure the most vulnerable Australians have the right to and access to a fair social security system. 

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