ALHR made a submission focusing on the human rights and rule of law implications of Schedule 6 of the Bill which proposes the insertion of new ss 360.3A and 361.5 into the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code). The proposed sections would introduce a mandatory minimum five year term of imprisonment for the existing offences … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls upon Premier Palaszczuk to initiate a State-wide public discussion on the introduction of a Queensland human rights act as promoted by MP Peter Wellington in his conditions for the formation of the current Queensland government. “A human rights act is vital for democracy in Queensland and crucial … Read More >>
You can transfer your existing ALHR membership across to paid membership in just a few minutes by following these simple steps: 1. Log onto the ALHR website with your email address and password here 2. Select the “subscriptions – Renew/Upgrade Membership” tab at the top of the ALHR website pages and chose your class of membership. 3. Proceed to payment. Once … Read More >>
ALHR is excited to announce an important change to our membership arrangements. To fully realise our goals and provide a high quality service to members we need to increase our resources. ALHR will begin to introduce 5 classes of paid membership from 17 April 2015. Paid membership will enable ALHR to continually grow its capacity … Read More >>
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 >>
