The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has released a new set of principles aimed at ensuring that the rights of international students are observed by organisations.

 

Releasing the Principles to promote and protect the human rights of international students, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Helen Szoke, urged all organisations working with international students ensure their basic human rights are protected.

 

“These Principles will ensure safe, positive and productive stays for international students, who come to Australia to study,” Commissioner Szoke said.

 

Given that there is no single body or organisation that is responsible for addressing the issues and concerns faced by international students, Commissioner Szoke said that a set of guiding principles would be an invaluable asset to the organisations and individuals that jointly share this responsibility.

 

Commissioner Szoke said the publication features four core principles: enhancing the human rights of international students; ensuring all international students have access to human rights and freedom from discrimination protections; understanding the diverse needs of international students; and empowering international students during their stay in Australia.

 

“Each of these principles is broken down into practical actions that apply to individuals and organisations that deal with international students, as much as they also apply to governments and their departments and agencies,” said Commissioner Szoke.

 

“Without being prescriptive, we have designed this publication to be as practical a resource as possible,” Ms Szoke said. “We have also worked hard to include examples of real initiatives – from a diverse group of service providers, education and community organisations - that are already delivering good practice in the spirit of the Principles.”

 

The Principles are available at:www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/international_students.html