Australian Lawyers for Human Rights is urging the NSW Parliament to vote against the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms) Bill 2018, introduced into State Parliament on 15 May 2018 by Reverend Fred Nile. Nicholas Stewart, Co-Chair of ALHR’s LGBTI Subcommittee said, ”The Bill proposes to provide exemptions to NSW’s anti-discrimination laws allowing for discrimination on the … Read More >>
“What is clear from the Joint Parliamentary Committee report issued last night in relation to the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017”, says Kerry Weste, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), “is that much normal civil society activity may now be regarded as ‘espionage’ or otherwise criminalised because of … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the NSW Government on the successful passage of legislation to create ‘safe access’ zones surrounding reproductive health services clinics. Ironically, although these measures to protect and promote the human rights of women accessing abortion services will become law, abortion will remain a criminal offence punishable by up to … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop, expressing ‘shock and disappointment’ that Australia was one of only two countries on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to vote against a draft resolution to appoint an independent commission of inquiry to investigate alleged violations … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed strong support for the creation of ‘safe access’ zones surrounding reproductive health services clinics as a way of protecting and promoting the human rights of women accessing essential health services. The Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Bill 2018 was introduced in the NSW … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is alarmed by the Australian Government’s decision to introduce new laws that would allow Australian Federal Police to conduct random identity checks at airports and order people to leave the premises. ALHR President, Kerry Weste, expressed concern that “centuries of common law that has evolved to protect citizens from … Read More >>
The country’s leading human rights advocacy group, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), is alarmed that the Federal Budget 2018-19 appears to include $54m in cuts in assistance to Indigenous Australians, a $43m reduction in funding to courts and legal services and $30m in cuts to regional cooperation and refugee and humanitarian assistance. ALHR President … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed alarm at the latest findings reported by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women and girls’s Safety (ANROWS) in its Women and girls, disability and violence: Barriers to accessing justice report. ALHR is deeply concerned by the pervasive and widespread violence and abuse experienced by women and girls … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds the recent decision of the Fair Work Commission to restructure the existing framework for paying supported employees to ensure they are paid more fairly. The FWC’s decision will see a shift from the current award where Australian Disability Enterprises determine wage rates for supported employees using the Supported … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Benedict Coyne announced this morning that during this very auspicious final year in the centenary of ANZAC and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ALHR and the Collaborative Research Centre in Australian History (CRCAH) at Federation University Australia will co-host an event on international … Read More >>
13 July 2017 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seriously concerned about reports of alleged breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) operating in Afghanistan. An ALHR spokesperson said, “the reports published yesterday by the ABC are deeply shocking. Allegations that reckless and negligent behavior of Australian … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed a Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters report which recognises serious flaws in the Turnbull Government’s “gag law” Bill. However, the country’s leading association of human rights lawyers fears the amendments recommended by the Committee do not go far enough to address the very serious human … Read More >>
