Abuse substantiated – Senate Committee hands down report into violence, abuse and neglect of people with disabilities

posted on November 26, 2015

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the report delivered by the Senate Community Affairs References Committee into Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including the gender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse … Read More >>

Media release: FRIDAY 6 November 2015 – Will Australia Cop a Kicking at the World Cup of Human Rights Next Week in Geneva?

posted on November 18, 2015

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is helping lead the hussle on the international playing field of human rights next Monday as Australia appears for its second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. ALHR National Committee member Benedict Coyne will be attending the hearing from 3:00pm – 6:00pm in … Read More >>

Media Release: Bid for UN Human Rights Council a Great Opportunity to Better Australia’s Record on Rights

posted on October 30, 2015

Leading human rights lawyers from Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) today commented that Australia’s bid for a position on the UN Human Rights Council presents a compelling opportunity for Australia to re-emerge from global human rights lagger to re-assume our position as a worldwide leader on human rights. Without a recommitment domestically, the disconnect … Read More >>

Phillip Ruddock Forwards the Fight Against the Death Penalty From Brisbane

posted on October 16, 2015

The 13th World Day Against the Death Penalty is a day for raising awareness around the application of the death penalty for drug-related offences.  ALHR recently lodged a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade regarding Australia’s international advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty. ALHR Qld Convenor, … Read More >>

MEDIA RELEASE – LEADING AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS SUPPORT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS SUBMISSION TO UN

posted on October 9, 2015

  Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) today expressed strong support for the Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) Peoples’ submission to key United Nations human rights, cultural and indigenous working groups which seeks the UN’s urgent intervention to stop the proposed development of the Carmichael Coal Mine on their traditional lands by Adani Mining Pty Ltd, … Read More >>

ALHR Condemns Australian Government Refusal to Cooperate with UN

posted on September 30, 2015

ALHR condemns the Australian Government’s refusal to assure complete freedom of inquiry to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, Francois Crépaeu, during his planned visit to Australia, forcing him to postpone the visit.   Mr Crépaeu said that he was forced to postpone his visit to Australia because the Australian Government … Read More >>

ALHR deeply concerned about delayed police reporting of alleged assault of people with disabilities

posted on September 8, 2015

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned by reports last week of the ACT Government’s mishandling of alleged assault and abuse of people with disabilities in institutional settings in Canberra.   Nathan Kennedy, President, ALHR explains “the right for people living in institutional and residential settings to be free from exploitation, violence and … Read More >>

Leading Australian Human Rights Lawyers commend Queensland ALP on Rights Leadership

posted on September 1, 2015

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) commends the Palaszczuk government for taking strong leadership on repairing Queensland’s broken record of human rights protection. Over the weekend, the ALP State conference moved to adopt a motion for the Queensland Government to conduct a Parliamentary Inquiry into a Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities during this term. … Read More >>

NSW Brothels must be accessible to people with disabilities

posted on August 20, 2015

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is pleased to make a submission to the NSW Legislative Assembly Select Committee inquiring into the regulation of brothels in NSW. The regulation of brothels considers many human rights concerns, including the rights of people with disabilities. The right to sexual expression and equal choice are fundamental human rights … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) supports presumption of innocence and fair trials, argues automatic termination of citizenship is discriminatory and counterproductive

posted on July 21, 2015

“ALHR believes that Australia should deal with Australian criminals and terrorists in our own courts and not put them beyond the reach of Australian law by terminating their citizenship” says ALHR President Nathan Kennedy about the Federal Government’s proposed amendments to the Australian Citizenship Act.   “Nor do we agree with automatic termination of citizenship for … Read More >>

ALHR endorses concerns about Australian Border Force Act

posted on July 1, 2015

“ALHR endorses the concerns expressed in the open letter published today from 40 medical, educational and humanitarian detention centre staff” says President Nathan Kennedy. “The Border Force Act imposes disproportionate and unreasonable penalties upon Australians. It infringes rights to free speech” says Mr Kennedy. “It overrides the ethical obligations of health workers, and even their … Read More >>