Human rights and EWOQ
The new Queensland Human Rights Act 2019 recognises 23 categories of human rights, and acknowledges the responsibility of government agency employees to respect, protect and promote the human rights of all individuals.
As an agency, we are committed to acting in a way that is compatible with our human rights obligations when we promote our services and interact with the community.
What is the Human Rights Act?
The Act protects 23 human rights:
- Recognition and equality before the law
- Right to life
- Protection from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
- Freedom from forced work
- Freedom of movement
- Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief
- Freedom of expression
- Peaceful assembly and freedom of association
- Taking part in public life
- Property rights
- Privacy and reputation
- Protection of families and children
- Cultural rights—generally
- Cultural rights—Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Right to liberty and security of person
- Humane treatment when deprived of liberty
- Fair hearing
- Rights in criminal proceedings
- Children in the criminal process
- Right not to be tried or punished more than once
- Retrospective criminal laws
- Right to education
- Right to health services.
The Act requires Queensland’s public agencies, including EWOQ, to act or make decisions that are compatible with these rights.
See the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) for more information about the rights protected by the Act.
Making a complaint
Every government department and agency has a complaints process in place to deal with human rights concerns.
If you believe one of our actions or decisions has breached your human rights, contact us in the first instance.
We must respond to your complaint within 45 business days.
If you’re unhappy with our decision or 45 days has past without a response, you can contact the Queensland Human Rights Commission with your complaint.