Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has made a submission to the NSW Joint Select Committee on Mark Latham’s Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 (the Bill), condemning the proposed reforms as inconsistent with Australia’s international human rights law obligations. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “This is a deeply flawed Bill that, if … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has joined calls for urgent action by the NSW and ACT Governments to address the crisis of Indigenous overrepresentation in their criminal justice systems. With recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing that Indigenous people in NSW are imprisoned at a rate of more than 10 … Read More >>
Human rights lawyers have welcomed the passage of a West Australian bill to end the controversial imprisonment of residents with unpaid fines. In 2014, when Yamatji woman, Ms Dhu, died in custody while serving a sentence for defaulting on her fines, this archaic practice was cast into the national spotlight. The change is long overdue … Read More >>
The recent destruction of the significant Juukan Gorge rockshelters just days prior to National Reconciliation Week by Rio Tinto highlights the need to expediate essential reform to Western Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The rockshelters destroyed by the actions of Rio Tinto during Reconciliation Week were of significant cultural and spiritual importance to the Puutu … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Federal Government’s long overdue commitment to reverse the harm caused by its illegal ‘Robodebt’ system, noting the system has destroyed lives. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “Since the scheme was introduced in mid-2016, advocates have been consistently alerting the responsible Ministers, including the treasurer at the time, … Read More >>
26 May 2020 marks the third anniversary of the historic Uluru Statement from the Heart inviting all Australians to walk with First Nations peoples in a movement for a better future. Ahead of the anniversary and National Reconciliation Week commencing on 27 May 2020, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) reiterates its support of the … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) repeats its call on the Australian Government to establish an independent oversight body for all people with disabilities living in the community after the recent news of the death of Ann-Marie Smith, who is reported to have lived in squalor and without proper care in her Adelaide home. Natalie … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has joined a call from over 180 civil society organisations to extend critical COVID-19 support to temporary visa holders, including refugees and people seeking asylum. In an open letter sent to the Prime Minister, the group outlined their concerns that 1.1 million temporary visa holders across the country are … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has issued a statement recognising the importance of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) this Sunday, May 17. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “This year’s IDAHOBIT day marks 30 years since the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. While … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (“ALHR”) is deeply concerned by the recent conduct of members of the Victorian Police in taking and sharing photos of a person being interviewed in custody. Reports on news.com.au show pictures of the person wearing a blonde wig and a dress. ALHR is further concerned that members of the media … Read More >>
The COVID-19 pandemic is having globally unprecedented impacts as nations battle the health and economic implications of the virus. The International Labour Organization estimates that around 25 million jobs might be lost worldwide, pushing people into unemployment or under-employment. This increases the vulnerability of workers to exploitation. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the … Read More >>
ALHR President Kerry Weste has signed onto an open letter on behalf of ALHR, calling for all Australian governments to take urgent action reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the criminal justice system, especially in prisons and youth detention centres. The open letter calls on Australian governments, as a matter of urgency, to: … Read More >>
