Human Rights
Chris | 18 | Queensland
Chris – Human Rights
Human rights. Two words that shape our lives more than we realise. They’re the foundation of freedom, equality and dignity; from getting an education without discrimination, to feeling safe in public, to speaking your mind without fear. These rights should be at the heart of every decisions made, by corporations to decision-making chambers, and in classrooms to social media. But sometimes I have to ask: are they really being prioritised?
Human rights aren’t special privileges. They’re basic entitlements we’re all born with, no matter our background, race, gender or beliefs. And sure, maybe the world will never get it 100% right. But forgetting about these rights, or treating them like a tick-box, makes society weaker. Human rights aren’t just about big speeches or protests. They show up in everyday things, like being able to wear what you want, access healthcare, or report abuse without fear. They protect the freedom to simply be yourself. I learned that early on. I came to Australia as a young migrant. Where I came from, freedom felt like something you only read about. What you said, believed or even hoped for could be shut down. Moving here, I felt the difference. Rights weren’t just abstract ideas. They were real. They were life-changing. They meant I could speak freely, learn openly and be myself. But knowing my rights also made me notice when they weren’t respected. If Australia values human rights so much, why does discrimination still happen? Why are young people, especially those from diverse backgrounds, still left out of decisions that affect us?
As the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child makes clear, young people aren’t just the future. We’re the present. We have the right to be safe, heard, to learn and to thrive. But when young people raise our voices, especially online, we’re often overlooked. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are where we speak up, share who we are and learn. So, when governments talk about banning them, it matters that we have a seat at the table. Despite over 15,000 submissions were made, the process was only open to the public for 24 hours, followed by a single three-hour Senate hearing. A lot of people didn’t even know what the bill really said. Headlines dominated. Clarity was missing. Young voices were sidelined. That’s not good enough. Especially when it puts our ability to express our views freely at risk, a right protected under international law.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m extremely grateful to live in Australia. But that doesn’t mean we stop asking questions. We live in a region where many still don’t enjoy basic rights. I hope our government not only listens here, but leads by example globally. At the end of the day, human rights aren’t up for debate. Since 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has united countries worldwide in a commitment to the protection and vindication of the rights of all. These rights aren’t just ideals. They’re promises. And they should be the starting point of every policy, every debate and every decision; now and into the future.