Safe Access Zones a human rights win for NSW women. Berejiklian Government must now decriminalise abortion.

posted on June 9, 2018

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 >>

Australia votes against Gaza inquiry: International law experts say the Federal Government is failing to deliver on promises made for seat on United Nations Human Rights Council

posted on May 21, 2018

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 >>

ALHR supports the introduction of safe access zones in NSW to stop harassment at abortion clinics and calls for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW

posted on May 19, 2018

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 >>

Human rights lawyers raise alarms about new powers given to border police

posted on May 17, 2018

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 >>

Legal Experts Say Budget Cuts Threaten Most Vulnerable

posted on May 9, 2018

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 >>

Women and girls with Disability still face Endemic Violence

posted on May 4, 2018

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 >>

Human rights lawyers welcome new shift to support employees with disabilities

posted on May 3, 2018

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 >>

Honouring A Forgotten National ANZAC Human Rights Hero: Celebrating ANZAC Centenary & 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

posted on April 24, 2018

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 >>

ALHR comment on reports of ADF killing of civilians

posted on April 11, 2018

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 >>

Parliamentary Committee Recommendations Not Enough to Fix Turnbull Government’s Russia Style ‘Gag Law’

posted on April 11, 2018

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 >>

Legal Experts Alarmed at Rule of Law Crisis on Nauru

posted on April 7, 2018

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is alarmed by the rule of law crisis on Nauru, but has applauded the decision of the Chief Justice to tonight extend bail for political protestors whose planned appeal to the High Court was thwarted by the termination of a treaty between Australia and Nauru that previously provided for … Read More >>

Human Rights of Millions Threatened By Turnbull Government Identity Matching Bills

posted on March 21, 2018

In a submission to the Federal Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed serious concerns regarding the provisions of the proposed Identity-matching Services Bill 2018 and the Australian Passports Amendment (Identity- matching Services) Bill 2018. ALHR’s Acting President, Kerry Weste said, “We are shocked that the time frame … Read More >>