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Human Rights Policy

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) As an ethical organisation, Western Sydney University (the University) is committed to upholding the fundamental human rights of its employees, students, stakeholders, and those with whom we have relationships. This policy outlines the University's approach to respecting human rights and integrating these principles into our operations, governance, partnerships, and supply chains, while placing specific focus on addressing our salient human rights issues, which are those at highest risk of severe negative impacts from our activities and relationships.

(2) This policy provides a unifying framework that consolidates and aligns the University's existing commitments and practices within a human rights-based approach. It is intended to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with internationally recognised human rights standards across the University's operations, governance, partnerships and supply chains.

(3) This policy should be read and understood in conjunction with the relevant University policy documents which address a range of issues that relate to human rights, such as equity, freedom of speech, non-discrimination, workplace health and safety, academic freedom and sustainable procurement, and right to procedural fairness listed in Section 5 - Guidelines.

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Section 2 - Definitions    

(4) For the purposes of this policy, definitions that apply can be found in the Policy DDS Glossary, in addition to the following:

  1. Employee: Anyone employed by the University or its entities. This includes academic staff, professional staff and senior staff on continuing, fixed term and casual contracts.
  2. Human Rights: The fundamental rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to by virtue of being human, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, religion, language, or any other status.
  3. ILO: Stands for International Labour Organization.
  4. Stakeholder: Any individual or organisation involved with or affected by the University's operations.
  5. Students: Individuals enrolled in an educational program at the University, including undergraduate, postgraduate and research students who participate in academic and co-curricular activities provided by the institution.
  6. Supply Chains: The network of suppliers, vendors, and service providers that support the University's operations. This includes entities involved in the production, distribution, and delivery of goods and services used by the University, from raw materials to finished products and services.
  7. United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs): A global standard endorsed by the United Nations in 2011, outlining the roles of states and businesses in preventing and addressing human rights abuses linked to business activities.
  8. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): means a Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
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Section 3 - Policy Statement 

(5) The University operates within an ethical framework guided by core values and guiding principles that promote inclusivity, accountability, integrity, engagement, sustainability, freedom, respect, equity, and fairness.

(6) The University is dedicated to respecting and promoting human rights across all operations and actively works to ensure compliance with relevant human rights legislation, including:

  1. Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth)
  2. Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)
  3. Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
  4. Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
  5. Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)
  6. Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
  7. Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) 
  8. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) 
  9. All other applicable laws in Australia and in countries where the University operates or maintains partnerships.

(7) The University also supports the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, including freedom of association, collective bargaining, the elimination of forced and child labour, and non-discrimination in employment.

(8) The University is committed to ensuring it takes into account the fundamental human rights principles set out in the International Bill of Human Rights, which includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

(9) The University expects all employees to uphold human rights in the course of their work, to foster a culture of ethical and responsible conduct, and to actively pursue opportunities to support and promote human rights where the University can contribute to a positive impact. 

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Section 4 - Procedures

Part A - Policy Implementation

(10) The University is committed to aligning its operations with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which are built on three core pillars:

  1. Protect: the state duty to protect human rights
  2. Respect: the corporate responsibility to respect human rights
  3. Remedy: ensuring access to remedies for victims of human rights abuses.

(11) The University also supports advancing progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its operations, partnerships, and educational programs. By integrating human rights principles into our business practices, governance and decision-making, we aim to foster an inclusive and equitable environment that supports sustainable development and upholds the dignity and rights of all individuals within our community and supply chains.

(12) To align with these United Nations strategies, the University will:

  1. integrate human rights due diligence processes to assess and address potential risks across all areas of the University's operations, partnerships and supply chains
  2. ensure that all partnerships, agreements, and contracts reflect the University's commitment to human rights, with specific attention to fair labour practices, non-discrimination, and ethical treatment of all individuals
  3. engage in stakeholder consultations, including with employees, students, third-party experts, and civil society organisations, to understand and address human rights impacts related to University activities
  4. maintain clear grievance mechanisms to allow employees, students, and stakeholders to report concerns regarding human rights violations, ensuring they are effectively managed and that appropriate remedies are provided
  5. embed ethical and sustainable practices in procurement by selecting suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to human rights and environmental sustainability and working with them to improve standards
  6. annually assess and report on our progress towards the SDGs, fostering transparency and identifying areas for continuous improvement in promoting human rights, sustainability, and the wellbeing of our communities.

Part B - Reporting

(13) University employees are encouraged to report any human rights concerns through the University's Whistleblowing (Reporting Corruption and Other Serious Wrongdoing) Policy. All reports will be treated confidentially, and the University commits to investigating all matters.

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Section 5 - Guidelines

(14) This policy should be read in conjunction with the following University policy documents:

  1. Board of Trustees Ethical Framework
  2. Bullying Prevention Policy
  3. Code of Conduct
  4. Complaint Management Policy
  5. Discrimination, Harassment, Vilification and Victimisation Prevention Policy
  6. Environmental Sustainability Policy
  7. Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy
  8. External Work Policy
  9. Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Policy
  10. Foreign Arrangements and Foreign Interference Policy
  11. Gender Equity Policy
  12. Indigenous Australian Employment Policy
  13. Indigenous Australian Education Policy
  14. Modern Slavery Prevention Policy
  15. Procurement Policy
  16. Respect and Inclusion in Learning and Working Policy
  17. Sexual Misconduct and Gender Based Violence Prevention and Response Policy
  18. Whistleblowing (Reporting Corruption and Other Serious Wrongdoing) Policy