Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has spoken out in support of NSW Law Society President Pauline Wright and expressed its disappointment at criticisms levelled at her following a joint statement in support of marriage equality made by the Law Society of NSW, the NSW Bar Association and the NSW branch of the Australian Medical … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemn Peter Dutton’s attack on our legal system and his attempt to redefine what Australians really stand for. The Minister’s total disregard for each and every person’s right to have legal representation, not just in Australia, but around the world, is extremely worrying. President of ALHR, Benedict Coyne said, “In … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) expresses profound concern for asylum seekers and refugees who will reportedly have their welfare and income support cut off and be told to leave Australia under new measures effective today. The policy affects people who sought asylum in Australia but were sent to Manus Island and Nauru and, who … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly today declaring the ACT Government’s willingness to settle refugees from Manus Island and Nauru. The motion acknowledges that refugees in offshore processing centres have been subjected to violent attacks, sexual violence, inadequate medical care, and harassment. It requests the Federal Government … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017 (ACT) which now makes it illegal to share an intimate photo without consent. The Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017 (ACT) makes it a crime to publish, or threaten to publish, intimate photos and images. The punishment is up … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly urges the Tasmanian Parliament to reject the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016, which ALHR understands is to be debated in the Tasmanian Legislative Council today The Bill proposes to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 to remove legal protections against discrimination and speech which incites hatred and ridicule for religious … Read More >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
