Disability Royal Commission recommends review of disability and health discrimination in Australia’s migration laws

posted on October 16, 2023

Welcoming Disability, a joint civil society campaign led by Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Down Syndrome Australia, has welcomed the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendation to review discriminatory migration health requirements, which have been described as archaic and degrading by leading disability advocates. Under Australia’s current legal framework otherwise fully eligible visa applicants and … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers slam Federal Government’s Migration Bill as ‘Cruel and Unnecessary’

posted on February 7, 2023

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned about the Albanese Government’s attempts to advance the Migration Amendment (Aggregate Sentences) Bill 2023 in the Senate.  Caitlin Caldwell, ALHR Chair of Refugee Rights said, “The Bill would make aggregate criminal sentences (a single sentence imposed for two or more changes within a case) a legal … Read More >>

Release of Medically Transferred Refugees from Immigration Detention

posted on March 5, 2021

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to release a number of refugees from immigration detention who were previously transferred from offshore processing to Australia for vital medical treatment.  Caitlin Caldwell, Co-Chair of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee said, “ALHR calls on the Federal Government to urgently release all medically-evacuated refugees who … Read More >>

Senate urged to reject Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020.

posted on September 1, 2020

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written urging the Senate to oppose the Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “The Bill seeks to expand both the Minister’s powers to determine items to be ‘prohibited’ and authorised officers’ screening, search and seizure powers, in a way … Read More >>

Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019

posted on September 27, 2019

ALHR made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019 reiterating the concerns we raised in our submission to Committee’s 2018 inquiry in relation to the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2018. The effect of the Bill is to further expand the powers of … Read More >>

Inquiry into the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2019

posted on September 27, 2019

ALHR made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding concerns with the provisions of the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2019. Our submission reiterates the concerns raised in ALHR’s 2016 submission to the Committee’s inquiry in relation to the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2016. ALHR strongly opposes the fresh attempt … Read More >>

Opting out of Global Compact on Migration is missed opportunity to recommit to human rights obligations

posted on November 23, 2018

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is disappointed by the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday that Australia will not adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The Global Compact seeks to foster international cooperation in relation to the benefits and challenges of migration. It reiterates existing international human rights obligations, while preserving a … Read More >>

Migration (Validation of Port Appointment) Bill 2018

posted on September 27, 2018

Australian lawyers for Human Rights has made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee regarding our serious concerns with the Migration (Validation of Port Appointment) Bill 2018. On 3 September 2018, ALHR President, Kerry West appeared before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee to give evidence about ALHR’s submission. ALHR believes that the Bill … Read More >>

President Trump’s anti-Muslim immigration ban executive order has had global impact and has shaken awake the democratic world

posted on January 30, 2017

President Trump’s anti-Muslim immigration ban executive order has had global impact and has shaken awake the democratic world. The executive order may impact Australians’ friends and families. It is the most extreme form of discrimination, injustice, and unfairness and unsurprisingly it is unconstitutional. Many Iraqi and Syrian refugees who have been detained at US immigration … Read More >>

The case for a royal commission into conditions in immigration detention

posted on April 27, 2016

On 14 April ALHR Sydney hosted a sold out expert panel discussion seeking to examine the case for a royal commission to investigate the practices of successive Australian Governments in relation to the treatment of people seeking asylum. Our esteemed panellists presented a highly informative, interesting analysis of the need for a royal commission from … Read More >>