On 17 January ALHR issued a media release welcoming the announcement by Premier Newman that the Queensland government intends to repeal the bikie laws. ALHR’s spokesperson, Benedict Coyne, stated ‘The government is obviously under pressure. Its propaganda war against bikies as a justification for passing such repugnant and undemocratic laws is clearly not working’.
Cuts to legal services risk human rights Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) have joined national calls for the Australian Government to reconsider its cuts to legal services. ‘These cuts will undermine national efforts to protect the human rights of all Australians,’ said ALHR President, John Southalan. ALHR opposes cuts to the Aboriginal and Torres … Read More >>
ALHR considers that the Prime Minister’s response to allegations of torture in Sri Lanka represents an alarming shift in Australia’s approach to international law. Torture is unconditionally banned under international law. This has always been the consensus: in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and in subsequent treaties on Civil and Political Rights and on … Read More >>
ALHR issued a press release strongly condemning Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s recent response to allegations of torture in Sri Lanka.
Queenslanders should be extremely concerned about a number of laws that were passed by the Newman government last week. The amendments radically extend the power of executive government at the expense of the courts, undermine human rights principles such as equality before the law and the freedoms of association and expression and further politicise crime … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) expressed grave concern at the announcement by the Prime Minister that asylum seekers and refugees would be sent to Papua New Guinea
President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, John Southalan expressed disappointment, today, that the government has backed down from its long-standing commitment to consolidate its anti-discrimination laws. Mr Southalan said “This Bill is significant. It improves access to justice and fairness for Australians. Through lengthy and detailed consultation, the government has made several important achievements … Read More >>
Media release For immediate release: Thursday 21st March 2013 Right to silence abolished in New South Wales The people of NSW will no longer have the right to remain silent after the NSW Government passed the Evidence Amendment (Evidence of Silence) Bill 2013. The new law will allow juries to draw an adverse inference if … Read More >>
Media release For immediate release Wednesday, 13 March 2013 Senate Committee fails refugees and Australia The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee released its report into the Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals and Other Measures) Bill 2012 on 26 February 2013. Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), who … Read More >>
Media release For immediate release 28 February 2013 Senate Committee Report Adopts ALHR’s Recommendations “By supporting the new Anti-Discrimination Bill and adopting our recommendations, the Senate Standing Committee has taken an important step towards a more equitable society for all Australians,” Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), said today. “ALHR is … Read More >>
Media release For immediate release Monday, 7 January 2013 Royal Commission Must Ensure its Terms of Reference meet Australia?s legal obligations under CROC? In response to recent media reports that the terms of reference of the Gillard Government?s proposed royal commission into institutional child sexual abuse should be broadened to encompass victims of physical abuse … Read More >>
Media release For immediate release 6 January 2013 New discrimination laws are a good start but must be improved, says Keim ?Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcome the Federal government?s Exposure Draft Bill which seeks to consolidate existing Commonwealth legislation into one human rights and anti-discrimination Act?, said Stephen Keim, today. Mr. Keim is President … Read More >>
