ALHR demands Federal human rights charter following High Court bikie ruling
In a statement issued today Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) urges the government to protect Australians with a Federal human rights charter in the wake of the High Court’s rejection of a challenge to the Queensland bikie laws.
ALHR insists the High Court’s rejection of the challenge highlighted once again the dangerous lack of protection of the Australian people’s basic human rights and the pressing need for a federal Charter of Rights.
Benedict Coyne, spokesperson for Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) stated this morning: “Australia is still the only liberal democracy that lacks a Charter of Rights. This decision of the High Court highlights again the urgent need for the government to protect the Australian people’s basic human rights at law. Our lack of a federal human rights Charter has attracted the concern of the international community. As citizens in a liberal democracy Australians should expect their basic human rights to be protected.”
“The declared victory by the Queensland government in the wake of the High Court’s ruling is premature and misleading” said Mr Coyne.
ALHR Media Release – High Court Bikie Laws Urgent Need for Human Rights Act (18 November 2014)
Media Contact: Benedict Coyne, ALHR Human Rights Act Sub-Committee Coordinator M: 0434 915 713 E: hra@alhr.org.au