Lawyers reject undemocratic postal opinion poll on the human rights issue of marriage equality

posted on August 16, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the Australian Government’s decision to invite voluntary postal views from some Australian voters on the human rights issue of marriage equality. “We support the current constitutional challenge to the funding of this divisive and ridiculous proposal which will not produce a statistically meaningful outcome and is, unhappily, likely … Read More >>

Human Rights Lawyers horrified at legislation penalising homelessness in public areas

posted on August 10, 2017

The NSW Government’s recently-passed legislation regarding public safety on Sydney Crown land, in an attempt to dismantle the homeless camp in Martin Place, is Orwellian, retrograde, and a blatant abuse of human rights, according to Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. “Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice,” said Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Vice President Kerry … Read More >>

Human Rights Lawyers applaud UN ruling on Australia’s same-sex divorce laws

posted on August 6, 2017

In a further blow to the Turnbull Government’s position against a free vote on marriage equality, a damning decision of the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) highlights further injustices caused by Australia’s policy on marriage between same-sex attracted people. The decision found in favour of an Australian woman, Dr Fiona Kumari Campell, who was married … Read More >>

Australia should heed UK Supreme Court decision on access to justice

posted on August 1, 2017

Leading Australian human rights lawyers have welcomed a landmark UK Supreme Court judgement handed down last Wednesday, arguing the decision sets an important precedent for Australian courts in relation to the need to ensure access to justice and equality before the law. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Women and Girls’ Rights Subcommittee Co-Chair Anna Kerr … Read More >>

NSW victims of crime compensation inadequate: domestic violence and sexual assault victims hardest hit.

posted on July 17, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has added its voice to calls for the New South Wales Government to increase victims of crime compensation, describing current levels of compensation as “completely inadequate” following significant cuts to the scheme made in 2013. ALHR says victims of gendered crimes such as child abuse, sexual assault and domestic … Read More >>

Human Rights Lawyers welcome Aboriginal Justice Agreement for the Northern Territory

posted on July 10, 2017

A leading national human rights organisation has welcomed a new Aboriginal Justice Agreement for the Northern Territory. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) Vice President Kerry Weste said, “The NT’s Aboriginal incarceration rate is a crisis of devastating proportions. Around 90 per cent of the Territory’s prisoner population are Indigenous and the human rights impacts … Read More >>

Human Rights Lawyers alarmed by allegations of inappropriate conduct at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre

posted on July 6, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed alarm over concerning allegations of human rights abuses at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in Canberra. A series of articles published by Fairfax Media, has alleged detainees have been subjected to acts of violence, including guards encouraging children to settle disputes by way of violence, drug overdoses and … Read More >>

Shocked Lawyers say Unredacted Youth Justice Report Proves Urgent Need for Queensland Human Rights Act

posted on June 29, 2017

Media release For release on Thursday 29 June 2017 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Attorney-General’s re-release of the unredacted final Report of the Queensland Youth Justice Review. ALHR says the report clearly reinforces the urgent need for the Palaszczuk government to stay good on its promise to pass a Queensland Human Rights … Read More >>

Homosexual vilification in the age of new media: Lawyers are keen to resolve federal issues of homosexual hate speech.

posted on June 24, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the High Court of Australia’s decision to grant special leave to Garry Burns to appeal a NSW Court of Appeal decision that the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has no power to determine anti-discrimination matters between residents of different States. The Court of Appeal was asked whether … Read More >>

Rushing Native Title Act changes risky, human rights lawyers say

posted on June 16, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) believes there are substantial risks involved with this weeks fast-tracked changes to the complex law governing Australia’s traditional owners’ native title rights, the Native Title Act (NTA) and calls for further consultation before the Senate votes later today. Further consultation is required to examine how the Native Title Amendment … Read More >>