Our History

The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (QCCL) is a voluntary organisation concerned with the protection of individual rights and civil liberties. It was founded in 1966 in order to protect and promote the human rights and freedoms of Queensland citizens.

The desire to create a civil liberties organisation began in the shadow of the Queensland Government’s repression of civil liberties during anti-Vietnam War protests. The first public AGM was held on 29 March 1967 and QCCL has worked ceaselessly to promote civil liberties ever since.

QCCL works towards a society in which the human rights enshrined in the Human Rights Act 2019 and in documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Australia is signatory, are protected and enjoyed by all Queenslanders and indeed Australian citizens.

The QCCL aims to:

  • Be vigilant in matters affecting civil liberties and to safeguard and develop respect for human rights and freedoms

  • Provide information about threats to, and the abuse of, rights and liberties and to foster the study of legal and human rights

  • Seek solutions to problems related to civil liberties, including prison reform, censorship and rights of minority groups

  • Provide, when necessary, neutral observers at marches and demonstrations

 
Quentin Bryce

Though its provenance was humble and its opposition at times immense, the Council was a positive, powerful bastion of rights that many of us in that turbulent period recognised and immediately pledged ourselves to.

– The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO

QCCL performs the following activities:

  • Makes submissions to governments, inquiries or relevant authorities

  • Publicly opposes laws and actions that undermine civil liberties

  • Holds lectures and seminars on civil liberties and addresses groups by invitation

  • Encourages public discussion on civil liberties issues by issuing media releases and responding to media requests

  • Supports publication of books and pamphlets on relevant subjects

  • Mobilises citizens to actively engage with their local, state and federal members about human rights violations

  • Coordinates volunteers: we rely on the financial contributions of our members and on donations and do not receive financial support from government or corporations.

  • Encourages members to get involved and take action to raise awareness of civil liberties issues that affect us all