chair

Chris Sidoti’s appointment as Chair of the Bill of Rights Forum was announced on 15 March 2007 by Human Rights Minster David Hanson MP.

Since 2003 Chris has been the director of the International Service for Human Rights, a non-government organisation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, that works closely with the United Nations human rights system.

A human rights lawyer, activist and teacher, he has been Australian Human Rights Commissioner (1995-2000), Australian Law Reform Commissioner (1992-1995), and Foundation Director of the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1987-1992). He has also worked in a number of non-government human rights organisations, including Human Rights Council of Australia, the Australian Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace as well as the Australian Council of Social Service.

While based in Australia until 2003, he worked extensively in the Asia Pacific region undertaking human rights training, policy and advisory work in many countries. He is a visiting professor at three Australian universities and has lectured frequently at universities in Indonesia.