Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds the Federal Government’s establishment of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disabilities. “This is a landmark day for Australians with Disability. Justice for those affected will finally be upheld” Kerry Weste, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights remarked. “The establishment of … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed the 2019 Federal Budget as yet another missed opportunity for Australia to show leadership in the Asia Pacific region in upholding international human rights obligations in relation to people seeking asylum and refugees. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “At a time when Australia has a seat on … Read More >>
Australia’s leading association of human rights lawyers has expressed extreme disappointment with the Federal Government’s limited commitment to supporting people on low incomes in last night’s Federal Budget. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) says the only positive in the Budget is a one-off payment designed to assist with rising energy costs. However, Charlie Faulder, … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) commends the federal Government’s allocation of $527.9 million over five years for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. ALHR recognises that more than half ($379.1m) will go to the Attorney-General’s Department to not only run the Royal Commission but also to provide … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed a historic High Court decision handed down last week awarding the Ngaliwurru and Nungali Peoples compensation in the sum of $2.5 million for native title extinguishment. This landmark judgement is the first time the highest court in Australia has decided the approach that should be taken in … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written to Tasmanian MPs to urge them to vote for amendments to the Justice and Related Legislation (Marriage Amendments) Bill 2018 currently before the Tasmanian Legislative Council. The Bill includes proposed amendments to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999 which will positively impact transgender, intersex and … Read More >>
Leading human rights lawyers have spoken out in support of students’ right to attend today’s climate change strikes. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights President Kerry Weste said, “Today ALHR stands with children and young people around Australia as they exercise their internationally-recognised human rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of speech and to be heard.” “The … Read More >>
The Morrison Government is facing heavy criticism over Australia’s refusal to sign an International Women’s Day statement at the United Nations, which called for safe access to abortion and improved sexual health education. A total of 57 states signed on to the statement which called for accountability for human rights violations perpetrated against women and … Read More >>
Leading human rights lawyers are calling on the West Australian Government to urgently ensure no child can be subjected to archaic and unjust mandatory sentencing laws that breach Australia’s international legal obligations. The renewed calls follow a decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Friday which upheld an Aboriginal boy’s appeal against a … Read More >>
Leading Australian human rights lawyers congratulate the Queensland Government for passing the Human Rights Bill. The Act will protect a broad range of human rights, including fundamental civil and political rights, the economic, social and cultural rights to education and health services and the cultural rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It establishes … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the WA Police Force’s treatment of a woman in 2017, who displaced her hip while being arrested and held in custody and was denied access to medical treatment for hours. A report published by the WA Crime and Corruption Commission (Commission) last week found that, Ms Duncan was … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) repeats its call on the Australian Government to urgently commit to ensuring a safe and a viable future for every person transferred from Australia to Nauru and Papua New Guinea in line with Australia’s international human rights obligations. “Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recent comments about the Migration Amendment (Urgent … Read More >>
