Queenslanders overwhelmingly support human rights, human rights law and the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC), according to a new survey from Griffith University.
Researchers at Griffith University conducted a survey in July of 1,000 people living in Queensland to obtain information on human rights through demographics, including gender, income and location.
Law Futures Center human rights expert Professor Sarah Joseph said that while support was high, it was not accompanied by awareness of the new legal protections and the QHRC.
“We found that 91% of Queenslanders surveyed agreed that protecting human rights and dignity is important,” she said.
“But only 56% of those polled know details about the new human rights law or the complaints process.”
Policy Innovation Hub director Professor Susan Harris Rimmer, also an expert member of the Queensland Parliament’s Human Rights Advisory Committee, says community education campaigns are needed.
“There is still considerable work to be done by the Queensland Attorney General to educate the public about the new law and the mandate of the QHRC and its free and groundbreaking public complaints process.
“Since the QHRC started operating in January 2020, it has received hundreds of complaints and is now experiencing delays of up to six months. “
Professor Joseph said attitudes towards human rights did not vary between Brisbane and regional Queensland.
“But women were less confident than men that human rights were respected, especially in healthcare. Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders also responded that human rights were less respected in the regions, ”she said.
“The age group that was least supportive of human rights is people over 65. “
The survey also revealed strong concern regarding child protection and children’s rights across the state and according to all demographics.
When asked to rank their top human rights concerns after child protection, Queenslanders noted the rights to health, care for the elderly and people with disabilities.
“Participants were also skeptical of respect for human rights in prisons, by the police, in religious institutions and in care facilities for the elderly,” said Professor Joseph.
When asked to identify human rights violations from Queensland’s past, the majority identified the state’s treatment of First Nations peoples and the inability to protest during Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s time. . Some respondents also identified the current COVID-19 restrictions on travel, including vaccinations.
On emerging human rights issues, 76% were in favor of reforming the law on voluntary assistance in dying and 64% believe the Queensland government has respected human rights. man during the COVID-19 pandemic.
