ALHR – Australian Lawyers For Human Rights

Australia was integral to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but we’re still the only Western Democracy without a Federal Human Rights Framework

posted on December 11, 2022

Human Rights Day message from Kerry Weste President, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) This weekend we celebrated Human Rights Day and the 74th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document which underpins all international human rights law. This year’s theme – freedom, dignity and justice for all – offers an opportunity … Read More >>

Over 150 organisations and individuals say it’s time for a Human Rights Law for SA

posted on December 8, 2022

A group of over 150 organisations and individuals have endorsed a statement calling for a parliamentary Inquiry into a Human Rights Act for South Australia. The statement – released to coincide with international Human Rights Day tomorrow – has been led by the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS), the Rights Resource Network of … Read More >>

Pressing need for Australia to bridge business and human rights gaps: Review of Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018

posted on November 29, 2022

ALHR has made a submission to the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). We are calling on the Federal Government to implement our recommendations for reforms to urgently strengthen the legislation and more effectively hold companies accountable for identifying and preventing modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. According to the … Read More >>

ALHR Submission ACT Inquiry: Right to a Healthy Environment

posted on November 21, 2022

The ACT Government’s Justice and Community Safety Directorate is currently conducting a public consultation to inform consideration of a right to a healthy environment in the ACT Human Rights Act. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (‘ALHR’) made a submission in relation to the Discussion Paper on the Human Right to a Healthy Environment (‘the Discussion … Read More >>

Western Australia for a Human Rights Act Webinar Series

posted on November 6, 2022

ALHR and the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Limited are proud to co-convene the Western Australia for a Human Rights Act (WA4HRA) Coalition. We are excited to announce a WA4HRA webinars covering three important areas in which outcomes for people could be improved by a WA Human Rights Act. Please save the dates! Webinar … Read More >>

Joint statement of concern regarding suspension of UN Subcommittee on Torture visit to Australia following lack of co-operation in New South Wales and Queensland

posted on October 24, 2022

We express profound concern that the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has been forced to take the drastic measure of suspending its visit to Australia due to obstruction encountered while attempting to carrying out its mandate during its visit to Australia under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other … Read More >>

ACT Government commits to delivering accessible human rights complaints mechanism

posted on October 21, 2022

Human rights lawyers and social advocates have applauded the ACT Government’s commitment to immediately commence the process of legislating for an accessible complaints mechanism within the Human Rights Act 2004, giving Canberrans, whose human rights are breached, the ability to bring a complaint to the ACT Human Rights Commission for confidential conciliation. ALHR President Kerry … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers welcome Queensland’s reforms to discrimination laws

posted on September 6, 2022

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has welcomed a report released by the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) proposing amendments to strengthen and modernise the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD). The ‘Building belonging: Review of Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 Report’ proposes a series of significant reforms to increase the scope and effectiveness of the state’s anti-discrimination protections. … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers welcome Western Australia’s reforms to anti-discrimination laws

posted on August 29, 2022

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed the West Australian Attorney-General John Quigley’s announcement that the state’s anti-discrimination laws will be modernised to provide stronger protections for women and LGBTIQA+ communities. The reforms will implement most recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia (the Commission) in its review of the state’s … Read More >>

Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022

posted on August 29, 2022

ALHR has made a submission to the Senate Education and Employment Committee regarding the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 (the Bill) which proposes to establish an entitlement for ten days paid domestic and family violence leave, for all employees. Under international human rights law, it is well established that domestic … Read More >>

EOIs sought: Youth Chairs ALHR LGBTIQA+ Rights Committee

posted on July 29, 2022

There are still many areas in Australian society in which people from the LGBTIQA+ community experience unequal treatment and violations of their internationally recognised human rights. As such, this area is a critical focus of ALHR’s work. Over the past five years ALHR’s LGBTIQA+ Subcommittee has drafted numerous submissions to national and international bodies, issued … Read More >>

United Nations General Assembly recognises standalone right to a healthy environment: human rights experts call on Australia to act at home

posted on July 29, 2022

In a significant international development the United Nations General Assembly has today adopted a resolution recognising the right to a healthy environment as an essential human right by 161 votes in favour, no votes against and 8 abstentions. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR commends Australia for supporting the international … Read More >>