On 16 April 2015, ALHR appeared before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee to express its objection to the Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015. The Chair of the ALHR Refugee Subcommittee, Ms Claire Hammerton, together with The Hon. Stephen Charles QC and representatives from the Law Reform … Read More >>
“The Prime Minister’s recent denigration of human rights and human rights lawyers is very concerning for a number of reasons” says ALHR President Nathan Kennedy, “and confirms to me the urgent necessity for an Australian Human Rights Act.” “The ultimate purpose of democratic law is the protection of the rights of the individual. The reason … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (“ALHR”) are horrified by the report of a 10-year-old-boy with autism being restrained in a 2 metre by 2 metre, cage-like structure in a school room at a Canberra school. The restraint of the child breaches article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities … Read More >>
Australia’s steadily deteriorating human rights performance has been highlighted in a major report compiled by nearly 200 organisations around Australia. It will be presented to the United Nation’s peak human rights body in the lead up to a major review of Australia that takes place every four years. Emma Golledge, Acting Director at Kingsford Legal … Read More >>
Today ALHR launched an education offensive to highlight the impact of the new Data Retention Laws on lawyers’ ethical obligations. A seminar was held at the NSW Parliament House. David Shoebridge MLC introduced the seminar, which was facilitated by Vicky Kuek, NSW co-convenor, in conversation with: Dr Tamsin Clarke, ALHR National Committee member Jon Lawrence, Electronic … Read More >>
Friday night saw Julian Burnside AO QC speak at our annual fundraising dinner. Mr Burnside presented an insightful, engaging speech and we very much appreciate him attending our event. The night was also a time to reflect on our achievements of the last year. ALHR’s President’s speech which sets out some of those achievements can be … Read More >>
The Honourable Catherine Branson QC Together with Oliver Greeves, Esther Pearson and Holly Ritson Followed by a teleconference link to a Special General Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the Australian Lawyers For Human Rights What: ALHR SA Branch Meeting, followed by Special General Meeting and AGM When: 15 April 2015 at 5:15pm for 5:30pm … Read More >>
How does the Data Retention Bill (and existing data surveillance) impact your legal practice? In its current form, the proposed Data Retention Bill would significantly infringe Australians’ rights to privacy and chill their freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. All Australians are effectively treated as suspects. If lawyers are to keep client communications confidential … Read More >>
Date Tuesday 24 February 2015 Time 6:00PM – 7:30PM Where Lecture Theatre, Law Institute of Victoria 470 Bourke Street, Melbourne Click here to register What is metadata, what is at stake and what you can do about it? The Privacy Workshop presents a panel of discussion and Q&A surrounding a controversial Bill, with three … Read More >>
To Light a Candle provides a powerful account of Iran’s largest religious minority, the Bahá’ís, and their peaceful response to decades of state-sponsored persecution. Following the 1979 Iranian revolution, Bahá’ís have faced systematic persecution including arrests, imprisonment and executions. They are also forbidden from attending or teaching at universities. The film shines light on the underground … Read More >>
Please join us at the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights annual dinner with special guest Julian Burnside AO QC Hosted with the support of the International Commission of Jurists. Get your tickets before they sell out and come and enjoy a fantastic evening in support of human rights! Booking: To book your tickets click here … Read More >>
Accountability and the Law: safeguarding against corruption in Queensland Monday, 9 February 2015 Customs House Brisbane ‘Accountability and the Law: safeguarding against corruption in Queensland’ is a one-day conference which will examine issues of accountability and transparency in Queensland. Are Queensland’s laws and institutions equipped to ensure the integrity of government in the age of “being open … Read More >>
