Former Family Court justice and human rights activist Elizabeth Evatt and leading UK jurist Lord Bingham will lead UNSW celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this week (Wednesday 10 December).

Australia played a pivotal role in the 1948 drafting of the Universal Declaration, which maps out the inalienable rights of all members of the human family.

Elizabeth Evatt was the first Chief Judge of the Family Court of Australia and the first female judge of an Australian federal court. The niece of H.V 'Doc' Evatt - President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and one of the key drafters of the Universal Declaration - she is an outspoken advocate of human rights, especially women's rights.

Lord Bingham is one of Britain's most senior legal figures, best known for his stance opposing the UK's strict anti-terrorism laws. The former senior law lord made headlines recently for castigating the Bush administration for its "cynical" disregard for the rule of international law and the UK's record as "an occupying power in Iraq".

The UNSW celebrations have been organised by the Australian Human Rights Centre, the Initiative for Health and Human Rights and the Diplomacy Training Program.

A Human Rights Football Tournament and BBQ will be held on December 9, with teams from UNSW's Diplomacy Training Program, the Burmese Community, Amnesty International and the UNSW Faculty of Law taking part.

For more information visit the AHRC website

What: Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights - with Lord Bingham and Elizabeth EvattWhen: Wednesday, December 10, 10.30am-12.00noonWhere: Law Theatre, Law Building, UNSW, Kensington Campus

Media Contact: Steve Offner | 02 9385 8107 | s.offner@unsw.edu.au