Submission as to Ways of protecting and strengthening Australia’s multiculturalism and social inclusion

posted on May 23, 2017

On 12th May ALHR made submission to the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism. The committee is to inquire into and report on ways of protecting and strengthening Australia’s multiculturalism and social inclusion. The protection, promotion and strengthening of Australia’s multiculturalism and policies of social inclusion are integral to Australia’s progress and its stable democratic nature. All marginalised … Read More >>

Positions Vacant: Co-Chairs ALHR National Business and Human Rights Subcommittee

posted on May 9, 2017

About the Role Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seeking expressions of interest from experienced lawyers to Co-Chair our National Business and Human Rights Subcommittee (BHR Subcommittee). The two Co-Chairs will be responsible for leading ALHR’s work in the business and human rights space at a national and international level. The successful applicants will … Read More >>

Review of Australia Fifth Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – Australian NGO Coalition Submission

posted on May 3, 2017

ALHR is proud to have contributed to and endorsed the attached Australian NGO report for the 2017 review under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The submission has been prepared by the National Association of Community Legal Centres and Kingsford Legal Centre, with contributions from a number of NGOs across Australia and … Read More >>

ALHR Submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre, and any like allegations in relation to the Manus Regional Processing Centre.

posted on April 22, 2017

On 7th November 2016 ALHR lodged its submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre (attached below). The Co-Chairs of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee, Khanh Hoang and Rebecca Dowd also appeared before the Committee to give oral evidence.

Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on Australia’s efforts to advocate for worldwide abolition of the death penalty October 2015

posted on March 6, 2017

Submission from Australian Lawyers for Human Rights In October 2015 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on Australia’s efforts to advocate for worldwide abolition of the death penalty, having particular regard to further steps Australia could take to advocate for worldwide abolition. … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights submission on reform of abortion laws in the NT

posted on January 30, 2017

ALHR has written a submission to the NT Attorney-General and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles MLA, on proposed changes to legislation governing termination of pregnancy in the Territory. Access to abortion in the NT is extremely limited and inconsistent with other jurisdictions. The NT government proposes to repeal section 11 of the Medical Services Act, introduce a … Read More >>

ALHR opposes access to Retained Metadata for Civil Litigation

posted on January 27, 2017

ALHR strongly opposes the use of data retained under the mandatory retention scheme for non-criminal and non-security matters involving civil litigation.  The mandatory data retention scheme was claimed by the Commonwealth Government to be purely a targeted and proportional response to perceived security threats. The Inquiry is considering the possibility of opening up access to all of the … Read More >>

UN Forum in Focus

posted on December 21, 2016

Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Subcommittee, Amy Sinclair, reflects on the Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, 2016 Last month, I braved the long-haul and flew from Australia to Geneva to experience the Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights. And it is, very much, an experience. Now in its 5th … Read More >>

Time to Tackle Slavery

posted on December 3, 2016

Modern Slavery pollutes global and domestic supply chains and permeates economic activity. It desperately needs addressing to end the exploitation of vulnerable workers, both at home and overseas. Amy Sinclair, Chair of our Business and Human Rights Subcommittee, has been working to address this and ALHR is proud to support business, anti-slavery and religious groups … Read More >>

ALHR meets with UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants

posted on November 30, 2016

On 14 November Kahn Hoang and Rebecca Dowd, Co-Chairs of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants in Sydney along with other NGO organisations. The meeting went for about 75 mins and the Rapporteur  took views from all interested parties in in a round-table discussion. ALHR made … Read More >>