Human Rights Awards

On 10 December 2002, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission will celebrate International Human Rights Day by announcing the prestigious 2002 Human Rights Medals and Awards winners at a ceremony in Sydney.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission established the Australian Human Rights Medal and Awards in 1987 to recognise those individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and equal opportunity in Australia.

The 2002 Human Rights Medal will be awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to human rights in Australia.

The nomination should provide examples of innovative and sustained strategies which have been undertaken by the nominee for addressing human rights issues in Australia together with demonstrable outcomes.

Nominations for the medal must be made by a person other than the nominee.

The nominee must be an Australian citizen or resident who has:
 promoted action to overcome discrimination or infringements of human rights in Australia; or
 promoted greater harmony between individuals or groups of different race, gender, sexuality, age or ethnic origin within Australia; or
 raised and highlighted issues of injustice, breaches of human rights and inequality in Australia to assist informed public debate and to encourage resolution of those issues; or
 advanced the rights of Indigenous Australians; or
 advanced the ideals and practice of equality for all people including those with an intellectual, physical or psychiatric disability; or
 created a fair and just Australia through the promotion and advancement of the rights of all people regardless of sex, race, sexuality, ethnic origin, age or disability; or
 advanced the ideals and practice of equality of opportunity in any field of human endeavour for all people, including those with intellectual, physical or psychiatric disabilities; or
 promoted the observance or understanding of civil and political rights.

Previous medal winners include Faith Bandler, former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, the late Eddie Mabo, the Hon Elizabeth Evatt, the late Fred Hollows and the late Dr Arnold “Puggy” Hunter.

Nominations for the prestigious 2002 Human Rights Awards and Medal close 27th September.

The Human Rights Awards are presented in six categories in order to promote understanding and public discussion of human rights in Australia. The Awards are presented in the areas of Law, Community, Arts Non–Fiction, Print Media, Television and Radio.

For information on award categories and copy of the nomination forms just send us an e-mail to probono@probonoaustralia.com.au. Otherwise phone 02 9284 9618 for a nomination form.