Canstockphoto23119468-1600x476
Canstockphoto16654729-1600x476
Canstockphoto26998849-1600x476

Australia was integral to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Now we are the only Western Democracy without a Charter of Rights

posted on December 10, 2018

Today is Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document, which underpins all international human rights law and inspires us to continue to work to ensure all people can live in freedom, equality and dignity. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste says, … Read More >>

Compassion, not commerce, is key to combatting organ trafficking

posted on December 6, 2018

Australia’s leading human rights organisation has welcomed a Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade report examining the global prevalence of human organ trafficking. The Compassion, Not Commerce: An Inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism Report makes twelve recommendations aimed at law reform to address Australian participation in the illicit trade and … Read More >>

ALHR Submission: QLD Human Rights Bill 2018

posted on December 5, 2018

ALHR made a submission to Queensland Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee on the Human Rights Bill 2018.  ALHR welcomes the timely introduction of the Bill and strongly supports this landmark reform. A Queensland Human Rights Act will not only ensure that fundamental human rights of Queenslanders are protected and valued, but it will also assist … Read More >>

Australian women and girls with disabilities face pervasive and widespread violence

posted on December 4, 2018

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is pleased to release the third of four policy papers addressing Australia’s international legal obligations to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. This third position paper to be published discusses the pervasive and widespread violence and abuse committed against women and girls with disabilities across a range of … Read More >>

New Federal Modern Slavery Act welcomed as global momentum builds to address the role of business in human rights

posted on December 4, 2018

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) commends the passing of the federal Modern Slavery Act 2018. This important human rights legislation represents a first step towards eradicating modern slavery in the operations and supply chains of large Australian companies. The Walk Free Foundation and the International Labour Organisation estimate that last year around 40.3 million … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers support urgent medical treatment Bill to address worsening health crisis in offshore detention

posted on December 4, 2018

Australia’s leading association of human rights lawyers is calling on the Australian Government to urgently commit to ensuring a safety and a viable future for every person transferred from Australia to Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed the Migration Amendment (Urgent Medical Treatment) Bill 2018 introduced today, which … Read More >>

Senate report recommends removal of religious exemptions allowing faith-based discrimination against LGBTI students and teachers

posted on November 28, 2018

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) commends the recommendations made by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs inquiry into legislative exemptions that allow faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against students, teachers and staff. The matter was referred to the Committee on 13 November 2018, following leaks of the Religious Freedoms Review, known … Read More >>

ALHR Submission: Legislative exemptions that allow faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against students, teachers and staff

posted on November 28, 2018

ALHR has made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee on Legislative exemptions that allow faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against students, teachers and staff On 13 November 2018, the Senate referred the following matter to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 November 2018: Legislative exemptions … Read More >>

Opting out of Global Compact on Migration is missed opportunity to recommit to human rights obligations

posted on November 23, 2018

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is disappointed by the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday that Australia will not adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The Global Compact seeks to foster international cooperation in relation to the benefits and challenges of migration. It reiterates existing international human rights obligations, while preserving a … Read More >>