Amnesty International applauds the Queensland Government’s reported announcement that this week it will introduce a Human Rights Act for Queensland.
Emma Bull, Advocacy Manager at Amnesty International Australia, said:
“Introducing a Human Rights Act is a welcome and principled move to protect the human rights of all Queenslanders.
“We are delighted the Palaszczuk Government will take this step to create a fairer and more inclusive community, and promote respect for human rights within Queensland society.
“What is really important now is that the bill put forward will incorporate the seven human rights treaties plus the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“We hope this Act will enshrine in law enforceable legal rights and obligations, and help to balance competing human rights through a comprehensive legislative framework.
“The bill should make sure that day-to-day service provision and decision-making recognise the dignity and rights of all people.”
Amnesty International has been campaigning for a Human Rights Act in Queensland for several years.
Australia is the only democratic country not to have a national Human Rights Act, so it is significant that Queensland is now the third State or Territory to take the initiative to protect human rights.
The ACT and Victoria also have similar human rights laws in place, and Amnesty International encourages the Federal Government to put in place a charter to protect human rights across Australia.
