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ALHR supports recommendations in ALRC ‘Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws’ report

posted on November 30, 2014

Australia Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) on delivering the report, Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws. Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR briefly explains that “the Report advocates for a new “Commonwealth decision-making model” that emphasises ‘supporters’ and ‘representatives’ for people with disabilities rather than substituted decision making”. … Read More >>

Human Rights under the Microscope: Reflections on Parliamentary Scrutiny

posted on November 28, 2014

Date: 11 December 2014 Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm Venue: Law Society of South Australia, Professional Development Centre, Level 10 Terrace Towers, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia. Together with the Law Society of South Australia and the Public Law and Policy Research Unit of the University of Adelaide, the SA Branch of the Australian Lawyers … Read More >>

NSW Ombudsman report on preventative detention and covert searches

posted on November 23, 2014

The Ombudsman has completed a report about police use of terrorism-related preventative detention and covert search powers. https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/20058/Parts-2A-and-3-of-the-Terrorism-Police-Powers-Act-2002-review-period-2011-2013.pdf

ALHR demands Federal human rights charter following High Court bikie ruling

posted on November 17, 2014

In a statement issued today Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) urges the government to protect Australians with a Federal human rights charter in the wake of the High Court’s rejection of a challenge to the Queensland bikie laws. ALHR insists the High Court’s rejection of the challenge highlighted once again the dangerous lack of protection … Read More >>

Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 does not reflect appropriate balance

posted on November 16, 2014

ALHR has found the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 does not reflect an appropriate balance between the government’s domestic and international obligations to protect its citizens from terrorism and its international obligations to preserve and promote its citizens’ fundamental human rights. In a report to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security ALHR submits it is essential that Australian anti-terrorism laws … Read More >>

Migration and Maritime Powers (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill incompatible with Australia’s international human rights obligations

posted on November 16, 2014

In a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (attached below), ALHR has found aspects of the Bill incompatible with Australia’s international human rights obligations. ALHR recommends that the Bill not be passed. At a time when, more than ever, people require the protection … Read More >>

Joint NGO report on Australia to the UN Committee Against Torture

posted on November 12, 2014

The ALHR supports the Human Rights Law Centre’s report (attached below) provided to the United Nations Committee Against Torture for the Committee’s fifth review of Australia during its 53rd session in November 2014. The report, titled ‘Torture and cruel treatment in Australia: Joint NGO report to United Nations Committee Against Torture’, examines Australia’s compliance with the Convention … Read More >>

ALHR Calls on Tasmanian Upper House to Wholly Reject ‘Anti-Protest’ Bill

posted on October 29, 2014

The Hodgman Government’s Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Bill 2014 (‘the Bill’) threatens to violate the human rights of all Tasmanians. ALHR is deeply concerned by the prospect of the Bill passing into law and urges the Tasmanian MLCs to reject the Bill as it is clearly inconsistent with International Human Rights law. The Bill’s proposed … Read More >>

ALHR Submission on Australia to the 53rd Session of the UN Committee Against Torture

posted on October 20, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ALHR has made a submission (below) UN Committee Against Torture as part of its fifth periodic review of Australia during its 53rd session from 3-28 November 2014. ALHR’s submission solely addresses issues concerning Australia’s policies, laws and practices on asylum seekers and refugees and, in particular, how Australia’s current policies, laws and practices contravene … Read More >>