ALHR – Australian Lawyers For Human Rights

Rio Tinto must be stripped of prestigious human rights ranking in light of Juukan Gorge destruction: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and human rights organisations

posted on July 9, 2020

ALHR has continued to voice concern about Rio Tinto’s destruction of the Juukan Gorge rockshelters, a place of significant cultural and spiritual importance to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people. Archaeological evidence suggests the sites dated back 46,000 years, making it one of the oldest known areas for human occupation within the Australian deserts. Our … Read More >>

West Australian Government applauded for Bill to cancel warrants for unpaid fines

posted on June 18, 2020

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 >>

Just because you legally can, should you?

posted on June 11, 2020

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 >>

ALHR Event: Zoom discussion on COVID-19 and its human rights dimensions

posted on June 2, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant effect on individuals, communities and governments. Please join ALHR for a Zoom panel discussion to discuss the impact of the virus on our economic, social, cultural, and civil and political rights. The discussion will have a particular focus on the impact of the virus on the human rights of vulnerable groups … Read More >>

Human rights – not corporate interests – must inform the Government’s plan to eradicate modern slavery

posted on June 2, 2020

In an initiative led by the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Human Rights Law Centre, ALHR is amongst a coalition of civil society organisations, unions and academics that has called on the Department of Home Affairs to include union and human rights experts in the newly established Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group to ensure … Read More >>

Action on manifestly unjust and illegal ‘Robodebt’ long overdue.

posted on June 2, 2020

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 >>

Human rights lawyers welcome independent inquiry into the death of Ann-Marie Smith

posted on May 27, 2020

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Morrison Government’s announcement that it will establish an independent inquiry into the adequacy of disability care provided to Ann-Marie Smith. Ms Smith was a woman with a disability, living in Adelaide who died on 6 April 2020 from profound septic shock and multiple organ failure from severe … Read More >>

Sorry Day 2020

posted on May 27, 2020

ALHR acknowledges and recognises members of the Stolen Generations and the impact of their forced removal and separation from their families, communities and country. Sorry means you never do it again. Sorry means action beyond symbolism. #SorryDay2020 #auspol #UluruStatement

Month of Awareness campaign launched to commemorate 3 year anniversary of Uluru Statement

posted on May 22, 2020

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 >>

Human rights denied in horrific Adelaide death of woman with disability, Ann-Marie Smith

posted on May 19, 2020

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 >>

Public consultation paper on the International Strategy on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

posted on May 17, 2020

ALHR has made a submission in response to the public consultation paper (Consultation Paper) on the International Strategy on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery (2020 Strategy). ALHR welcomes the 2020 Strategy as an ongoing commitment of the Australian Government in supporting international efforts to help eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery. The 2020 Strategy will … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers join call on PM to ensure #NobodyLeftBehind during COVID-19

posted on May 17, 2020

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 >>