NSW Bill to prevent peaceful protests near places of worship undermines our democracy

posted on February 17, 2025

The Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025  was introduced by the NSW Government on 11 February 2025  ALHR has written to the NSW Premier, Attorney-General and other members of the NSW Parliament expressing our  concerns that these measures are incompatible with human rights, cast a disproportionately wide, ill defined and punitive net, and may include provisions that are … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers highlight Australia’s international obligations and condemn any politicisation of healthcare for trans and gender diverse young people.

posted on February 1, 2025

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned the Queensland Government’s statewide halt  on access to puberty blocking agents and gender affirming hormones for all new patients under 18 seeking help for gender dysphoria. The national association of human right lawyers has also joined medical experts, health bodies and LGBTIQ+ groups in cautiously welcoming the … Read More >>

Civil society unites behind call for a Human Rights Act for South Australia

posted on December 10, 2024

Today, on International Human Rights Day, an alliance of civil society organisations has come together and issued a statement calling for the enactment of a South Australian Human Rights Act that legally protects the dignity and interests of all South Australians.  Significant momentum has been building for more widespread legislative protection of human rights across … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers slam attempts to rush through more draconian anti-protest laws in NSW

posted on November 13, 2024

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply troubled by the Minns Government’s  attempts to rush through a further round of draconian anti-protest laws, which threaten to breach Australia’s international human rights law obligations.* The Crimes Amendment (Obstructing a Railway) Bill 2024 would amend section 213 of the Crimes Act by inserting a 200-penalty unit offence, … Read More >>

ALHR Statement in response to the Migration Amendment Bill 2024 (Cth) and Migration Amendment (Bridging Visa Conditions) Regulations 2024 (Cth)

posted on November 12, 2024

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) joins the many expert voices condemning the Albanese Government’s Migration Amendment Bill 2024 (Cth) and Migration Amendment (Bridging Visa Conditions) Regulations 2024 (Cth).  The new measures seek to drastically expand the Federal Government’s powers, allowing it to warehouse people in third countries, reverse protection findings made for refugees, and … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights President Appointed to NSW Premier’s LGBTQI+ Advisory Council

posted on November 11, 2024

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) celebrates the appointment of our national president, Nicholas Stewart, on his appointment to the NSW Premier’s LGBTQI+ Advisory Council.  ALHR’s Vice President Kerry Weste said:  “Nicholas Stewart’s appointment means that the NSW LGBTQI+ Advisory Council will have a senior human rights lawyer contributing to the work of the council … Read More >>

Federal Government moves to better protect children in Australia’s migration system

posted on October 16, 2024

Welcoming Disability, a group supported by more than 100 organisations and experts, has commended the Albanese Government for a significant reform to Australia’s Migration System – Children born and ordinarily resident in Australia will now be exempt from discriminatory health-related criteria that would have made them ineligible for a visa The Migration Regulations have been … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers call for national census to include the Intersex community

posted on September 10, 2024

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) expresses concern at the Albanese Government’s announcement that the 2026 National Census will continue to exclude people born with  innate variations of sex characteristics, despite the inclusion of sex, sexuality and gender questions. The announcement has been confirmed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, who previously worked with leading … Read More >>

Australian Human Rights Lawyers Demand LGBTIQ inclusion in the National Census

posted on August 27, 2024

As Australia prepares for its next National Census in 2026, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) seeks an overturn of the Australian Government’s decision to exclude the LGBTIQ community from the Census .  ALHR Vice President Nicholas Stewart said ‘All members of society, including the LGBTIQ community, should be accurately counted and represented in Australia’s … Read More >>

Human Rights Lawyers Express Frustration Over Delayed Equality Bill in NSW

posted on August 12, 2024

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed frustration and concern at the NSW Government’s postponement of Alex Greenwich MP’s Equality Bill. The bill, which was scheduled for debate on Thursday 8 August 2024, has now been pushed back to October. ALHR President Kerry Weste said:  “The LGBTIQ+ community should not have to wait a … Read More >>