Legal Responses While asylum seekers and refugees are in Australian territory or are engaging in Australia's jurisdiction, the Australian Government has obligations under multiple international treaties to ensure their human rights are respected and protected in all ways possible. These treaties include; •International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) This treaty recognises that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying civil and political freedom and freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his/her civil and political rights, as well as his/her economic, social and cultural rights. This treaty also realises that the individual, having duties to other individuals and to the community to which he/she belongs, is under responsibility to strive for the promotion and observance of the rights recognised in a present Covenant.
•International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) This treaty recognises that these rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person. It recognises that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
•Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) This treaty recognises that, no individual shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The desire of the treaty is to make more effective the struggle against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment throughout the world.
•Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) This treaty bears in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This treaty also recognises that it is proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Non Legal Responses •Amnesty International This campaign aims to improve the way the Australian government approaches offshore processing legislation in relation to asylum seekers. Amnesty International works to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees affected are treated humanely. They offer insight to the government, influencing them to commit adequate resources to an effective, human-rights based regional framework that addresses the reasons for irregular migration.
•Refugee Council of Australia The Refugee Council of Australia is the national umbrella body for refugees and the organisations and individuals who support them. RCOA promotes the adoption of flexible, humane and practical policies towards refugees and asylum seekers both within Australia and internationally.