On Thursday, 5 May 2016, the Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report for the inquiry into Australia’s Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. The report examined Australia’s current engagement to end the death penalty, and how it could advocate further. “Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcomes the Joint Standing … Read More >>
“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the recent decision of the PNG Supreme Court as to the illegality of the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island” said President Benedict Coyne, “ALHR notes that the PNG Constitution contains a bill of rights and fundamental freedoms which offers much greater protection to PNG residents, including … Read More >>
“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcomes the commencement in March of the NSW Limitation Amendment (Child Abuse) Act 2016 which removes previous restrictive limitation periods on actions for damages related to child abuse” says President Nathan Kennedy. “Previous limitation periods made it virtually impossible for damages claims to be brought against perpetrators in this State” said … Read More >>
“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights endorses the concerns of the NSW Law Society, Bar Association and other legal organisations” says President Nathan Kennedy “concerning the NSW government’s new restrictions on public protests.” The Inclosed Lands, Crimes and Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Interference) Bill 2016 passed on 16th March 2016 will substantially limit the freedoms of NSW residents to … Read More >>
The Australian Government has formally indicated that it will undertake a national consultation on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights during 2016. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Government’s announcement and acknowledges that this represents a significant step towards implementing internationally-accepted business and human rights standards in … Read More >>
Media Release: 16 February 2016 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on the Australian Government to commit to a National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights and has provided recommendations for process and content based on a global review of NAPs in other countries. Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill’s personal guarantee that David Bulmer-Rizzer’s death certificate will be issued with his correct marriage status and that South Australia will introduce legislation to recognise overseas same-sex marriages. Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR said “ALHR strongly supports Premier Weatherill’s move to introduce legislation consistent … Read More >>
ALHR has congratulated Qld Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath for taking a wise step in the rights direction by launching a Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into a Human Rights Charter for Queensland. ALHR has been instrumental in the push for the inquiry since independent MP and Speaker Peter Wellington proposed it as part of his conditions for … Read More >>
The Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the mistreatment of Indigenous Aus- tralians held in detention and calls for a national bipartisan approach to address the levels of Indige- nous incarceration. “The idea that citizens can be held in custody for unpaid fines is Dickensian and shows systemic inequalities in the justice system” said … Read More >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
