Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) today welcomed the Federal Government’s action in tabling a National Interest analysis which records its decision to ratify the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). ALHR President Stephen Keim SC applauded the move as ‘a critical … Read More >>
The President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (‘ALHR’), Stephen Keim, today called upon the Northern Territory government to act to ensure that a properly resourced investigation unit be established that is independent of the police force and capable of responding quickly and proactively when an incident occurs. ‘One acceptable model’, said Mr. Keim, ‘would … Read More >>
Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), today, said that the organisation supported the decision of the Australian Labor Party conference to commit the Party to a policy of lifting restrictions on same sex marriage. “From a human rights perspective, the issue of same-sex marriage is pretty straightforward. All human rights are … Read More >>
Stephen Keim SC, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), today called on the Australian Government to abandon its proposed amendments to the Migration Act. ‘These proposed amendments put Australia on an unprecedented collision course with its Convention obligations,’ he said. ‘While there are a number of elements of Australia’s refugee policy in recent … Read More >>
Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, today, strongly urged Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to take action to encourage Fiji to lift Public Emergency Regulations and other restrictions on freedom of expression. Mr. Keim said: “Since April 2009, the Public Emergency Regulations have been used to suppress criticism of the military and intimidate … Read More >>
Stephen Keim SC, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, today, called upon the Australian Government to resist offshore processing of asylum seekers in light of last week’s decision by the High Court, which ruled the Malaysia Solution to be invalid, and the advice of the Commonwealth Solicitor-General, released on Sunday. ‘Onshore processing is the … Read More >>
By Stephen Keim- http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2693084.html#comments
Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, today, strongly criticized proposals by Victorian Attorney-General, Robert Clark, to use the results of an online survey to help set minimum sentences for offences against Victorian law.
ALHR welcomed the appointment of Bret Walker SC as a very able and independent mind to be Australia’s inaugural Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, but urged the government to show more urgency to bring Australia’s national security legislation back in line with the democratic norms.
Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, today, confirmed that ALHR has lodged a submission to the Attorney-General’s Department National Human Rights Action Plan Background Paper, which outlines the government’s proposed approach to develop a new National Human Rights Action Plan. Mr. Keim said: “ALHR supports the vast majority of the terms of … Read More >>
‘The latest statements by Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, as to her government’s lack of responsibility concerning WikiLeaks co-founder, Julian Assange, continue to reflect a misunderstanding of key issues concerning Mr. Assange, the Australian citizen facing extradition proceedings from the United Kingdom to Sweden, and the actions of the WikiLeaks organisation’, President of Australian Lawyers … Read More >>
