Case 93: Teenage boy’s right to protection of families observed despite strict COVID-19 public health measures in detention

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The family of a teenage boy detained in a youth detention centre raised concerns about his access to family visits, noting the right to protection of families and children under the Queensland Human Rights Act. COVID-19 quarantine measures prevented the boy from having a family visit for his birthday. The boy’s family and the detention centre reached an agreement allowing the boy to have a video call with his family for his birthday and then had an in-person visit following the easing of restrictions.

Source: The First Annual Report on the Operation of Queensland’s Human Rights Act 2019-20, p. 134