New data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) reveals a 34% increase in the number of young people in custody since June 2023. First Nations children now account for 60% of children in detention, despite making up just 8% of young people in NSW. This marks an alarming 36% increase … Read More >>
ALHR has joined with over 60 groups who have signed a letter to the NSW Premier calling for the government to facilitate the March for Humanity, a planned peaceful procession calling for for greater action by the Australian government in the face of Israel’s blockade and starvation crisis in Gaza. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a … Read More >>
Australia Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the Northern Territory Government’s announcement this week that it is reinstating the use of spit hoods in youth detention, eight years after the practice was banned. This decision undermines Australia’s international obligations under core United Nations human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written to the Victorian Premier, Attorney General and member of the Legislative Council calling on them to support the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Amendment (Right to Housing) Bill 2025 (the Bill) when it comes before the Legislative Council for debate. ALHR strongly supports the full incorporation of … Read More >>
ALHR is proud to join with 88 community sector organisations calling on the Australian Government to aim for net zero emissions by 2035 to reduce the harmful impacts of Climate Change. We must keep global warming at 1.5C. To do our fair share as a country, the science argues that Australia should aim to reduce … Read More >>
In May 2023, the NSW Attorney General Michael Daley, appointed the Honourable Geoffrey Bellew SC, former Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and Mr Jeffrey Loy APM, former Deputy Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force, to conduct a review into the operation of doli incapax in NSW. The review will report on the … Read More >>
The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed a landmark case brought by two Torres Strait community leaders. Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai argued the Australian Government had a duty of care to protect the Torres Strait Islands from climate change, and that the government had breached that duty. In the wake of this decision, ALHR’s … Read More >>
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Joint Report on behalf of the Australian NGO Coalition has been submitted to the UN. The Report, from more than 150 NGOs – including ALHR – shows that human rights are sliding backwards and we are falling far short of meeting our international obligations. Globally, Australians are amongst the only … Read More >>
ALHR’s Women and Girls’ Rights Committee has submitted a report to Australia’s fourth Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations (UPR). As lead authors and contributors to the UPR Report on behalf of the Australian NGO Coalition, ALHR also strongly endorses all of the recommendations in that report. Our report emphasises some key areas of progress and concern for the … Read More >>
In an Australian first, an ACT Government Parliamentary Committee has recommended that the human right to adequate housing be recognised in ACT law and protected within the Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT). The ACT Legislative Standing Committee on Legal Affairs has released its final report following an Inquiry into the landmark Human Rights (Housing) Amendment … Read More >>
ALHR has written to members of the NSW Parliament to express serious concern regarding the conduct of NSW Police during the peaceful demonstration held on Friday, 27 June, outside SEC Plating in Belmore Event. It has been reported that a protester, Hannah Thomas, was seriously injured during an interaction with police and may sustain … Read More >>
ALHR Welcomes ACT’s nation-leading reforms that raise the minimum age of of criminal responsibility to 14. This significant step means that young children in the ACT will be supported with the services they need, rather than being criminalised and imprisoned. This reform reflects UN recommendations to Australia, a wealth of medical evidence and expert advice, and … Read More >>
