The Human Rights Act 1998 outlines and safeguards everyone’s rights. This is irrespective of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, sexual orientation or any other status. What is more, everyone is equally entitled to human rights without discrimination. These rights are all related to one another, dependent upon one another and indivisible from one another.

In addition, children and young people and disabled persons have specific human rights guaranteed under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). These two conventions also convey obligations on nation states.

Learning about human rights encourages inquiry, analysis, forming arguments, making decisions, cooperation, evaluation, and developing behaviours informed by values. Human rights education encompasses the following.

• Learning about human rights – incorporates understanding human rights and the sources of those rights, including the UNCRC and the UNCRPD.

• students develop knowledge about human rights primarily through the Humanities and the Health and Well-being Areas of Learning and Experience, and can be practiced across other Areas. students also develop understanding of citizenship, participation and ethical action. They develop understanding of the UNCRC and UNCRPD and can learn to recognise their own and others’ rights. Learning through human rights – is about the development of values, attitudes and behaviours that reflect human rights values.