Experts call on Australia to advance economic, social and cultural rights

posted on May 5, 2023

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 supports NATSILS and all ATSILS calls for an immediate joint $250 million emergency support package from the Federal Government.

posted on May 5, 2023

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 >>

Human rights lawyers join with key LGBTIQ+ organsiations to call on Victorian Government and Victoria Police to act in wake of anti-trans protests

posted on April 3, 2023

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 >>

Decision to send WA children to maximum security adult prison slammed as flagrant breach of international standards

posted on July 15, 2022

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 >>

Human rights lawyers call on Senate to reject Morrison’s harmful deportation Bill

posted on March 29, 2022

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 >>

Take Action: Religious Discrimination Bill

posted on November 29, 2021

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 >>

Human rights lawyers call for AUSLAN interpreters to be present at NSW COVID-19 Press Conferences

posted on October 11, 2021

  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 >>

More than 155 stakeholders oppose Federal Government’s Bill to abolish specialist Family Court

posted on February 16, 2021

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 >>

Open letter in support of of Termination of Pregnancy Bill SA

posted on February 15, 2021

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 >>

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 >>