Which of the following best protects the human rights of citizens of New South Wales? (A) The Bill of Rights (B) The common law (C) The International Court of Justice (D) The NSW Constitution - HSC - SSCE Legal Studies - Question 14 - 2001 - Paper 1

To determine which option best protects the human rights of citizens of New South Wales, we can briefly evaluate each option:

• The Bill of Rights: While the Bill of Rights is fundamental in protecting rights, it is not a widely adopted legal instrument in Australia, particularly in relation to NSW law.

• The common law: This is a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts. It has evolved over time and provides significant protections for human rights in Australia.

• The International Court of Justice: This body deals with disputes between states and is not directly involved in the protection of individual citizens' rights at the state level.

• The NSW Constitution: This document provides a framework for governance in New South Wales, including provisions that relate to the rights of citizens.

After evaluating these options, it is clear that the common law offers a robust and evolving means of protecting human rights, making it the best choice.