A decade ago today, the United Nations celebrated the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR). In a letter to the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP and Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, Human Rights experts have called on Australia to mark this anniversary by … Read More >>
ALHR has today written the the Commonwealth Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus KC MP and the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney MP, to express our profound concern at the human rights impacts of a funding crisis that is leading to service freezes at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) across the country. ATSILS are facing … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) joins with Transgender Victoria, the Victorian Pride Lobby, LGBTIQ Legal Service and other key LGBTIQ and ally organisations led by Southside Justice in calling for action from the Victorian Government following the anti-trans protests in Melbourne on 18 March 2023. In a joint letter the group has acknowledged and … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned the West Australian Government’s decision to transfer 20 children and young people from Banksia Hill Detention Centre (BHDC) to the maximum security adult Casuarina Prison stating there are “no circumstances that justify the placement of children in adult prison facilities.” ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “Moving children … Read More >>
On 21 May this year, most adult Australians will vote in the Federal Election. However, there is a whole section of our community who can be removed from the Electoral Roll and disallowed from having their say: people deemed to be of “unsound mind.” In an open letter to the Prime Minister and Leader of … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on Senators to oppose the Morrison Government’s heavily-criticised Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill. The Bill failed to pass the Parliament before the 2019 election and was then blocked by the Senate in October 2021. ALHR says the Bill’s proposed measures undermine our criminal justice system … Read More >>
Dear ALHR members and supporters, Help send the Religious Discrimination Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Inquiry Parliament will be considering this Bill again tomorrow, so we must act NOW We are reaching out to you with an urgent call to action. Please see below for details and our easy to send pro forma letter that … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) expresses significant concern regarding the press conferences held by the NSW Government on October 10 and 11 2021 which did not have Auslan interpreters visible to viewers. Natalie Wade, Vice President and Disability Rights Subcommittee Chair states, “Article 21 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with … Read More >>
On 12 March 2021 ALHR wrote to the Prime Minister to express concern over the recent allegations of sexual assault that are said to have occurred inside Parliament House as well as those made against Attorney-General, Christian Porter MP. ALHR is deeply troubled by the serious violations of human rights alleged to have taken place against … Read More >>
ALHR stands with more than 155 stakeholders from a wide range of professions and community organisations in opposing the Government’s deeply flawed legislation to abolish the specialist, stand-alone Family Court. This rushed Bill risks the safety of survivors of family violence. On 11 November 2019 ALHR signed an open letter to the Federal Attorney-General ahead … Read More >>
ALHR is very pleased to have joined more than thirty organisations in signing an open letter led by Fair Agenda and the South Australian Abortion Coalition to expressing our strong support for the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2020 in its current form. The Bill promotes the autonomy, dignity and wellbeing of patients who need to … Read More >>
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 >>
