What are “Rights”?
What are Rights – click here to print
What are ‘rights’?
In 1990 the Australian Government entered an agreement to adopt the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC). This is a formal protection of human rights for children, that is, everyone under 18 years of age. This Convention is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world.
This means that, along with many other countries in the world, Australia has agreed that people under 18 have rights, that is, they must be treated fairly and they also need some protections. Unfortunately, governments in Australia do not always ensure this happens.
Here are some examples of rights which young people have under the Convention:
- right to a name, to be part of a country and to be known and cared for by your parents
- right to say what you think and to be listened to
- right to look for information, receive it and pass it on by writing, speaking, art, etc
- right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
- right to meet with others and to join or form groups
- right to privacy
- right to not be abused, neglected or exploited
- right to the best possible health and medical care
- right to an education
- right to enjoy your own culture, religion and language
- if you have been accused of breaking the law, the right to be treated with respect and to have legal help
- if you are in care, the right to suitable alternative care with a family or institution and for regular checks that this is working well for you.
Such rights apply regardless of your skin colour, sex, religion, disability etc. You can see a copy of the Convention on the UNICEF website – www.unicef.org
If you feel that you have been treated unfairly, it may be best to try to talk to the person who is being unfair and explain why you feel you are being treated unfairly. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) should check that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is being followed and you can contact them if you are having hassles.
In February 2019 the Queensland parliament passed the Human Rights Act. The main purposes of the Act:
(a) to protect and promote human rights; and
(b) to help build a culture in the Queensland public sector that respects and promotes human rights; and
(c) to help promote a dialogue about the nature, meaning and scope of human rights.
The Act, which will come into force on 1st January 2020, sets out many rights for young people under 18, including the right to privacy and education.
Who can help?
Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC) www.yac.net.au …………………………………………………………………………….. 3356 1002
South West Brisbane Community Legal Centre www.communitylegal.org.au…………………………………………… 3372 7677
Logan Youth & Family Legal Service www.yfs.org.au………………………………………………………….. 3826 1500
Legal Aid Queensland www.legalaid.qld.gov.au……………………………………………….. 1300 651 188
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (24hrs 7days a week) www.atsils.org.au……………………. 3025 3888 or (free call) 1800 012 255
Translating & Interpreting Services (24hrs)………………………………………………………………………………. 131 450
Youth Legal Advice Hotline www.legalaid.qld.gov.au …………………………………………………………………………… 1800 527 527
Community Legal Centres (CLCs) see www.naclc.org.au for your nearest CLC