ALHR

In June 2017 the Federal Government commissioned an Independent Review of Australia’s primary complaints body for dealing with corporate human rights abuses, the OECD Australian National Contact Point (ANCP). Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Final Report of the Independent Review published in December 2017. The ANCP, currently housed in The Treasury, was … Read More >>

During last year’s Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia, the Government outlined a proposal to require large corporations operating in Australia to publish annual statements outlining their actions to address modern slavery throughout their business and supply chains. The Walk Free Foundation has estimated there are up to 40.3 million victims of … Read More >>

Leading human rights lawyers have called on politicians and the media to refrain from xenophobic stereotyping, scapegoating and racist remarks in wake of statements about Victorian youth crime  Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the continued attack by certain members of the Federal Government on Victoria’s African communities who are being vilified by the … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) by the Australian government last Friday 15 December 2017. OPCAT is an international agreement which aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has called on the ACT Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to an absolute minimum of 12 years of age. An 11-year-old girl recently appeared in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Children’s Court charged with offences relating to alleged violence against her carers. Due … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), has expressed dismay at the Northern Territory (NT) Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw’s intention to send the Territory Response Group (TRG), a unit of camouflaged, specialised police with military-grade weapons, to target children in Darwin and Alice Springs at night. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “We are astonished that … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is concerned about the potential implications of the new expanded police powers under the Crimes (Police Powers and Firearms Offence) Amendment Bill 2017 which recently passed in the Australian Capital Territory. The Act has created a new offence of “drive by shootings” and will expand police powers by allowing … Read More >>