Case studies that show the benefits of Human Rights Acts in Australia
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United front of more than 117 organisations demand inquiry into NSW Human Rights Act at Parliament House
Today, a powerhouse alliance of 117 peak legal, community, and faith bodies from the Human Rights Act for NSW Alliance will gather at NSW Parliament House to demand the state end its status as a “human rights outlier” and launch an urgent inquiry into a Human Rights Act. The sold-out forum – hosted by BEING – Mental Health … Read More >>
ALHR Statement: Sydney Protests 10 February 2026
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) joins the chorus of human rights experts and organisations expressing concern at shocking alleged excessive uses of force against peaceful protesters in Sydney yesterday. These incidents must be subject to immediate, transparent and independent investigations. As an organisation committed to the protection of internationally recognised human rights, ALHR is … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Statement on Boorloo Invasion Day Rally Attack
ALHR supports the calls of First Nations organisations and leaders for the potential mass casualty event in Boorloo/Perth on 26 January to be independently investigated as a potential terrorist act and as a hate crime. During the incident a man is alleged to have thrown an improvised explosive device/bomb made from a mixture of volatile … Read More >>
UPR: 120+ UN Member States call on Australia to better protect human rights
Australia is falling short of respecting and protecting human rights. On Monday night at Australia’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council 120+ countries called on the Albanese Government to better protect the rights of First Nations people, children, and refugees, implement a Human Rights Act, and tackle the gender-based violence. Perhaps … Read More >>
TONIGHT: Australia’s Universal Periodic Review at the UNHRC
TONIGHT: Australia’s Universal Periodic Review at the UNHRC: This evening from 7.00 pm AEDT Australia’s human rights record will face scrutiny when the Australian Government appears before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva for its major human rights review, known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR is a mechanism of … Read More >>
UN Finds Australia in Breach of the Torture Convention
On 14 January 2026, the UN Committee against Torture held that Australia breached its obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) by failing to protect an Iranian asylum seeker from torture and ill-treatment during prolonged offshore detention in Papua New Guinea and subsequent onshore detention in … Read More >>
ALHR Statement on Bondi Terror Attack
15 December 2025 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is heartbroken and horrified by yesterday’s terror attack at Bondi Beach while Jewish Australians gathered to peacefully celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Our hearts go out to the victims and their grieving families and loved ones who are enduring unimaginable loss in the most horrific … Read More >>
Attorney General’s Department: Strengthening the Modern Slavery Act
In August 2025 ALHR made a submission to the Attorney General’s Department consultation on the options to strengthen the transparency framework, simplify and improve reporting, and target non-compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). Our submission addresses the 37 questions of the consultation and presents below a summary of the key points and recommendations for … Read More >>
Doli Incapax Review Recommendations deliver NSW Premier a clear message: do not weaken evidence-based child rights protections.
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes recommendations released on Saturday following the NSW Government’s Review of the operation of doli incapax in NSW for children under 14. Doli incapax is a common law presumption that a child under the age of 14 years lacks the capacity to be criminally responsible for their acts. Despite … Read More >>
Alliance of more than 100 organisations calls for Inquiry into Human Rights Bill 2025 (NSW)
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has led an open statement signed by more than 117 organisations and experts calling on the NSW Parliament to establish an inquiry into a Human Rights Act. Together with the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, ALHR co-convenes the Human Rights Act for NSW Alliance (HRA4NSW) – a group of more … Read More >>
Over 110 organisations and individuals call for inquiry into Human Rights Act for NSW
A group of 117 organisations and individuals have endorsed an open statement calling on all NSW Parliamentarians to support the establishment of a public inquiry into a Human Rights Act for New South Wales. On Thursday 23 October 2025, the Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP, will introduce a private member’s Human Rights Bill. Human … Read More >>