Basic Rights Queensland (BRQ) has been named as one of 20 finalists in this year’s Australian Human Rights Awards.
The community legal centre is one of four finalists in the Law category of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s annual awards, which will be announced in December.
BRQ CEO James Farrell said the centre was incredibly proud.
“For our 40 years BRQ has worked with everyday Queenslanders to navigate problems at work, access social security, and fight discrimination,” Mr Farrell said.
“Every day our team of lawyers, social workers, industrial officers, and advocates works to protect and promote Queenslanders’ human rights.
“We want to see a Queensland where everyone can access justice, participate fully in their community and be treated fairly, regardless of who they are.”
Mr Farrell said the centre had been recognised for its work in a Supreme Court case involving homeless people sleeping rough in public parks in the Moreton Bay City Council area.
“It was a practical and courageous use of the law to protect the dignity, safety and property of people experiencing homelessness,” he said.
“The Supreme Court found that Moreton Bay City Council had acted unlawfully, including by failing to give proper and individual consideration to human rights, issuing notices that did not allow reasonable time, and disposing of property without genuine consent.
“BRQ advanced human rights in Australia by demonstrating that homelessness does not lessen a person’s entitlement to lawful, proportionate, and humane treatment by public authorities.”
Award winners, in the categories of Human Rights Medal, Young People, Media and Creative Industries, Law and Community, will also be announced on 10 December, International Human Rights Day, in Sydney.
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