Today we hosted the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Dr Michelle Bachelet in our Sydney office. Dr Bachelet was a political refugee in Australia during Pinochet's dictatorship in the 70s, and went on to become the first female President of Chile, serving during two terms (2006 - 2010 and 2014 - 2018).
We hosted a working lunch for the High Commissioner and key human rights advocates in Sydney followed by a Disability Rights roundtable. These events were chaired by the Australian Human Rights Commission President, Professor Rosalind Croucher and the Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Ben Gauntlett.
During the Disability Rights roundtable, participants discussed the recent Report of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities concerning Australia. They also discussed disability policy and human rights concerns that the 4.5 million people with disability in Australia face.
Dr Bachelet provided enormous insight and wisdom developed from her time as a paediatrician, policymaker and President of Chile.