Human rights lawyering for people experiencing homelessness
Human rights lawyering for people experiencing homelessness Journal Article
Australian Journal of Human Rights
- Author(s): Lynch, P.
- Published: 2004
- Volume: 10
Abstract: Recognising the role that lawyers can play in client empowerment and the promotion of human dignity and respect, this article discusses a ‘human rights approach’ to lawyering for people experiencing homelessness. The article seeks to shift recent discussion from how to use human rights law in homeless legal practice, to how to adopt a human rights approach to such practice. Within a human rights paradigm, the article considers the duty to treat clients with dignity and respect; the importance of asking clients what they want, listening and giving primacy to their answers; holistic approaches to assist clients with their non-legal needs; the role of lawyers in client empowerment and community development; and strategies to promote the meaningful participation of people experiencing homelessness in law reform work, policy advocacy and public education. The article concludes that, by adopting a human rights approach to legal service provision and advocacy, lawyers can enhance clients’ physical, social and psychological wellbeing, generate a sense of client empowerment, promote client participation in public policy development and implementation, and assist to improve clients’ lives.