ALHR is strongly opposed to this Bill and recommends that it be rejected in its entirety. The Bill gives private security officers the power to use force against people, including children, in immigration detention facilities that is greater than the force allowed in analogous State and Territory prison legislation. ALHR notes that most people in … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply saddened to hear of the execution by firing squad of Mr Andrew Chan and Mr Myuran Sukumaran. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones. These young men had been genuinely rehabilitated and demonstrated an understanding of the criminal nature of their acts and the tragic … Read More >>
The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival is a Melbourne based not-for-profit arts organisation devoted to making human rights issues accessible through film and art. The festival will take place in Melbourne from 7-21 May 2015, with a national tour to follow. The diverse selection of film strives to inspire conversation and action about social … Read More >>
On 16 April 2015, ALHR appeared before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee to express its objection to the Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015. The Chair of the ALHR Refugee Subcommittee, Ms Claire Hammerton, together with The Hon. Stephen Charles QC and representatives from the Law Reform … Read More >>
“The Prime Minister’s recent denigration of human rights and human rights lawyers is very concerning for a number of reasons” says ALHR President Nathan Kennedy, “and confirms to me the urgent necessity for an Australian Human Rights Act.” “The ultimate purpose of democratic law is the protection of the rights of the individual. The reason … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (“ALHR”) are horrified by the report of a 10-year-old-boy with autism being restrained in a 2 metre by 2 metre, cage-like structure in a school room at a Canberra school. The restraint of the child breaches article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) are appalled by the decision of the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection to refuse mother Maria Sevilla a skilled working visa for her and her son Tyrone to stay in Australia. Ms Sevilla appealed that decision to the Migration Review Tribunal which has rejected the application, resulting in … Read More >>
Australia’s steadily deteriorating human rights performance has been highlighted in a major report compiled by nearly 200 organisations around Australia. It will be presented to the United Nation’s peak human rights body in the lead up to a major review of Australia that takes place every four years. Emma Golledge, Acting Director at Kingsford Legal … Read More >>
Today ALHR launched an education offensive to highlight the impact of the new Data Retention Laws on lawyers’ ethical obligations. A seminar was held at the NSW Parliament House. David Shoebridge MLC introduced the seminar, which was facilitated by Vicky Kuek, NSW co-convenor, in conversation with: Dr Tamsin Clarke, ALHR National Committee member Jon Lawrence, Electronic … Read More >>
Friday night saw Julian Burnside AO QC speak at our annual fundraising dinner. Mr Burnside presented an insightful, engaging speech and we very much appreciate him attending our event. The night was also a time to reflect on our achievements of the last year. ALHR’s President’s speech which sets out some of those achievements can be … Read More >>
The Honourable Catherine Branson QC Together with Oliver Greeves, Esther Pearson and Holly Ritson Followed by a teleconference link to a Special General Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the Australian Lawyers For Human Rights What: ALHR SA Branch Meeting, followed by Special General Meeting and AGM When: 15 April 2015 at 5:15pm for 5:30pm … Read More >>
ALHR has joined 26 other prominent signatories in an open letter to the Prime Minister requesting that he urgently reverse the proposed funding cuts to legal assistance services under the Attorney General’s portfolio, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), its peak body National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), Community Legal … Read More >>
