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ALHR commends the Victorian Government’s moral leadership in launching the Legacy Caseload Initiative and would like to see similar programs in all States and Territories

posted on May 10, 2016

On Sunday 17 April 2016, ALHR President Benedict Coyne attended the launch of the Victorian Legal Aid Legacy Caseload Initiative. This initiative will help up to 11,000 asylum seekers living in Victoria get the legal assistance they need to have their claims for protection assessed fairly. Launched by the Attorney-General Martin Pakula, the two-year initiative … Read More >>

ALHR Supports Bill to Decriminalise Abortion in Qld

posted on May 10, 2016

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) supports the decriminalisation of abortion. Access to safe, legal and affordable abortion services is a personal health matter as well as a matter of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights,” said Queensland Co-Convenor, Kate Marchesi. “Women who seek abortions should not be treated as criminals and the majority of … Read More >>

Leading human rights lawyers welcome recommendations of death penalty inquiry

posted on May 10, 2016

On Thursday, 5 May 2016, the Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report for the inquiry into Australia’s Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. The report examined Australia’s current engagement to end the death penalty, and how it could advocate further. “Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcomes the Joint Standing … Read More >>

SA: Special Fundraising Screening of “Chasing Asylum”

posted on May 9, 2016

Dear South Australian ALHR Members, You are invited to attend a special fundraising screening of the film Chasing Asylum by Academy award winning director Eva Orner. Chasing Asylum exposes the real impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies and explores how ‘The Lucky Country’ became a country where leaders choose detention over compassion and governments deprive the … Read More >>

Leading Human Rights Lawyers Welcome PNG Court Decision on Illegality of Manus Island Detention Centre

posted on April 28, 2016

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the recent decision of the PNG Supreme Court as to the illegality of the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island” said President Benedict Coyne, “ALHR notes that the PNG Constitution contains a bill of rights and fundamental freedoms which offers much greater protection to PNG residents, including … Read More >>

The case for a royal commission into conditions in immigration detention

posted on April 27, 2016

On 14 April ALHR Sydney hosted a sold out expert panel discussion seeking to examine the case for a royal commission to investigate the practices of successive Australian Governments in relation to the treatment of people seeking asylum. Our esteemed panellists presented a highly informative, interesting analysis of the need for a royal commission from … Read More >>

ALHR is seeking a new Chair/Coordinator for our vibrant, effective and dedicated National Refugee Rights Subcommittee

posted on April 27, 2016

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is currently searching for a new Chair/ Coordinator for our vibrant, effective and dedicated National Refugee Rights Subcommittee. Given the egregious nature of human rights violations in relation to people seeking asylum in Australia, this area is a critical focus of ALHR’s work. Over the past two years the … Read More >>

ALHR Endorses NSW Legislation Removing Limitations on Child Abuse Claims and Calls on Federal Government to Enable Children’s Complaints to be Brought Before the UN

posted on April 1, 2016

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcomes the commencement in March of the NSW Limitation Amendment (Child Abuse) Act 2016 which removes previous restrictive limitation periods on actions for damages related to child abuse” says President Nathan Kennedy. “Previous limitation periods made it virtually impossible for damages claims to be brought against perpetrators in this State” said … Read More >>

Government commits to business and human rights consultation

posted on March 17, 2016

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has successfully encouraged the government to consider adopting a national policy on business and human rights.  Ms Amy Sinclair, Chair Business and Human Rights Sub-Committee ALHR was quoted in Lawyers Weekly saying: “The voices of all stakeholders must be included – not just those representing powerful business interests but also … Read More >>

ALHR ENDORSES CONCERNS ABOUT NSW RESTRICTIONS ON PROTESTS

posted on March 16, 2016

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights endorses the concerns of the NSW Law Society, Bar Association and other legal organisations” says President Nathan Kennedy “concerning the NSW government’s new restrictions on public protests.” The Inclosed Lands, Crimes and Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Interference) Bill 2016 passed on 16th March 2016 will substantially limit the freedoms of NSW residents to … Read More >>