What are human rights?
Human rights are basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person. In Queensland, the Human Rights Act 2019 protects 23 human rights.
The Human Act 2019 imposes obligations on public entities (including Queensland Government departments and agencies) to properly consider your human rights and to act and make decisions compatibly with human rights. If your human rights are limited, the limitation must be reasonable and justifiable.
Learn about the Human Rights Act 2019 and how it protects your rights in Queensland.
Explore your human rights
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Recognition and equality before the law
Everyone has the right to be treated equally and enjoy their human rights without discrimination -
Right to life
You have the right to life, and the government must take steps to protect it. -
Protection from torture and cruel treatment
You have the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and from non-consensual medical treatment. -
Freedom from forced work
You cannot be forced to work or be treated as a slave. -
Freedom of movement
You have the right to move freely within Queensland and leave or return as you wish. -
Freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief
You can think and believe what you want and practise your religion. -
Freedom of expression
You have the right to express your opinions and share information, while respecting others. -
Peaceful assembly and freedom of association
You can meet peacefully with others and join groups, including trade unions. -
Taking part in public life
You have the right to vote, run for public office, and participate in public life. -
Property rights
You can own property and it cannot be taken away unfairly or without proper process. -
Privacy and reputation
Your privacy, family, home or correspondence should not be unlawfully or arbitrarily interfered with, and your reputation cannot be attacked unlawfully. -
Protection of families and children
Families are entitled to protection, and children must be treated in their best interests. -
Cultural rights - generally
You have the right to enjoy your culture, practise your religion, and use your language. -
Cultural rights – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have distinct cultural rights, including maintaining their identity, language, and connection to land and waters. -
Liberty and security of person
You have the right to freedom and safety and cannot be detained unjustly or arbitrarily. -
Humane treatment when deprived of liberty
If detained, you must be treated with dignity and respect. -
Fair hearing
You have the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent court or tribunal. -
Rights in criminal proceedings
If charged with a crime, you have specific rights, including the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial. -
Rights of children in the criminal process
Children in the criminal justice system must be treated differently from adults, with a focus on rehabilitation. -
Right not to be tried or punished more than once
You cannot be tried or punished more than once for the same offence. -
Protection against retrospective criminal laws
You cannot be prosecuted for actions that were not crimes when committed. -
Right to education
Every child has the right to access primary and secondary education, and everyone has the right to access vocational training based on their abilities. -
Right to health services
You have the right to access health services without discrimination and cannot be refused emergency medical treatment necessary to save your life or prevent serious disability.