8 December 2005
Dr Sev Ozdowski, Human Rights Commissioner and acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner
The President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, John von Doussa QC, today expressed his appreciation to Dr Sev Ozdowski for his dedication and commitment during the five years he has served as Human Rights Commissioner and acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Mr von Doussa said: “Dr Ozdowski is a very hard working advocate for human rights in Australia, and has a particular interest in the promotion and protection of the rights of children and other vulnerable people.
“He travelled around the countryside and met with a huge range of community organisations and individuals. He has been a very effective advocate for young people, people with mental illness, children in immigration detention, and many other vulnerable groups.”
The following are a few examples of the breadth and diversity of the work undertaken by Dr Ozdowski throughout his tenure.
One of the first actions he initiated on becoming Human Rights Commissioner was a National Human Rights Dialogue – he has addressed over 140 meetings in capital cites and in regional and rural areas. He established great networks with all sections of society.
Dr Ozdowski participated in the United Nations Special Session on Children in 2002 and continued to monitor Australia’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It was appropriate that he ended his term as Human Rights Commissioner with a project involving young people. This was a dialogue with young Australians about human rights where he and his staff conducted focus groups and other work consultations young Australians. Rights ofPassage, the report of these consultations, provided a good insight into what young people considered were the important human rights issues which will act as a useful, practical guide to youth workers, educators and policy makers.
His landmark Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention and the publication of the report A last resort? helped put the plight of children in immigration detention onto the national agenda. He worked with many community groups to advocate successfully for the release of those children and their parents from detention centres.
A joint venture with the Mental Health Council of Australia and the Brain and Mind Institute Australia resulted in a very comprehensive report ‘Not for service’: Experiences of injustice and despair in mental health care in Australia. This report has been very influential in gaining commitments from governments to improve the delivery of mental health services in the states and territories.
Mr von Doussa said: “These projects are examples of the very valuable contribution Dr Ozdowski has made to the promotion and protection of human rights in Australia. The Commission and Commission staff wish him well in his new endeavours”.
Media contact: Paul Oliver on 02 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 8 December 2005.
