Whichever party forms government after the Queensland election on October 31 has the opportunity to set a commitment to human rights at the centre of its administration, with key tenets of reform outlined in a human rights agenda released today by Amnesty International Australia.
Raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, funding Indigenous-led justice reinvestment and ending conversion practices are among the recommendations in the agenda which politicians received today.
“With a human rights act passed into law in 2019, Queenslanders are obviously alive to their rights and whoever forms government can strengthen the state’s commitment to human rights for all by addressing the shortcomings and institutional disadvantage for minorities,” Amnesty International Australia National Director Sam Klintworth said.
“Kids are still being held in adult watchhouses, LGBTQI+ people are still being subject to traumatising conversion practices and domestic violence is still a major issue. All of these injustices can be remedied by prioritising human rights in policy and process.
“Amnesty International Australia calls on the next State Government to challenge injustices and protect the rights and freedoms of all Queenslanders by committing to protect rights and freedoms according to our international commitments under human rights treaties.”
