Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement that it will fulfill its pre-election commitment to end a decade of suffering by providing a path to permanent safety for refugees holding temporary protection visas. Approximately 19,000 people who Australia has recognised as refugees, but who have been subjected to temporary visas under … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned about the Albanese Government’s attempts to advance the Migration Amendment (Aggregate Sentences) Bill 2023 in the Senate. Caitlin Caldwell, ALHR Chair of Refugee Rights said, “The Bill would make aggregate criminal sentences (a single sentence imposed for two or more changes within a case) a legal … Read More >>
Human Rights Day message from Kerry Weste President, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) This weekend we celebrated Human Rights Day and the 74th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document which underpins all international human rights law. This year’s theme – freedom, dignity and justice for all – offers an opportunity … Read More >>
A group of over 150 organisations and individuals have endorsed a statement calling for a parliamentary Inquiry into a Human Rights Act for South Australia. The statement – released to coincide with international Human Rights Day tomorrow – has been led by the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS), the Rights Resource Network of … Read More >>
We express profound concern that the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has been forced to take the drastic measure of suspending its visit to Australia due to obstruction encountered while attempting to carrying out its mandate during its visit to Australia under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other … Read More >>
Human rights lawyers and social advocates have applauded the ACT Government’s commitment to immediately commence the process of legislating for an accessible complaints mechanism within the Human Rights Act 2004, giving Canberrans, whose human rights are breached, the ability to bring a complaint to the ACT Human Rights Commission for confidential conciliation. ALHR President Kerry … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has welcomed a report released by the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) proposing amendments to strengthen and modernise the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD). The ‘Building belonging: Review of Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 Report’ proposes a series of significant reforms to increase the scope and effectiveness of the state’s anti-discrimination protections. … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed the West Australian Attorney-General John Quigley’s announcement that the state’s anti-discrimination laws will be modernised to provide stronger protections for women and LGBTIQA+ communities. The reforms will implement most recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia (the Commission) in its review of the state’s … Read More >>
In a significant international development the United Nations General Assembly has today adopted a resolution recognising the right to a healthy environment as an essential human right by 161 votes in favour, no votes against and 8 abstentions. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR commends Australia for supporting the international … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the appointment of the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne, effective from 1 August 2022. The role centres on the implementation of and compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (the Act) and its amendments pursuant to the Modern Slavery Amendment Act 2021. Dr Cockayne follows in the … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls on the Albanese government to reopen dialogue about legislating an Australian Charter of Human Rights. ALHR President Kerry Weste says, “We are the only Western democracy on the planet without some form of Federal Charter of Human Rights. We now have a new federal government promising to lead … Read More >>
Ahead of the closing of the 76th UN General Assembly session, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), together with an alliance of over 1300 civil society and Indigenous people organisations from around the globe, are calling on UN Member States to affirm the right to a healthy environment. Following advocacy by the governments of Costa … Read More >>
