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Media Release: Stronger Futures Legislation (NT)

posted on October 17, 2014

Media release For immediate release 17 October 2014 ‘Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the current review by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights of the Stronger Futures legislation’ says Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR.  ‘ALHR agrees with the Committee that the government needs to demonstrate, rather than simply state, how the measures … Read More >>

Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014

posted on October 17, 2014

UPDATE The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has today tabled its Advisory Report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014. A copy of the report can be found by following the below link: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Intelligence_and_Security/Counter-Terrorism_Legislation_Amendment_Foreign_Fighters_Bill_2014/Report1 ORIGINAL POST ‘We must be careful’, says ALHR President Nathan Kennedy, ‘that in opposing the criminality of terrorism … Read More >>

ALHR invites you to attend the Australian premiere of Limited Partnership at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival.

posted on October 9, 2014

Sunday 19th October 5:30pm at the Chauvel Cinema The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Kirk Marcolina, the Producer and Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR. To receive a 15% discount on your tickets enter the promo code “ALHR” when you BOOK HERE: http://bit.ly/1uIjl6r TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGY5wqPIUhE The fight for marriage equality may seem … Read More >>

From the Ballot Box to the Witness Box: Tackling access to justice for people with disabilities

posted on October 2, 2014

Date: Thursday 16 October 2014 Time: 12:30pm to 2:oopm Venue: Law Society of South Australia, Professional Development Centre, Level 10, Terrace Towers, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide Together with the Law Society of South Australia, the SA Branch of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, proudly sponsored by Lipman Karas, is presenting a free seminar addressing … Read More >>

Media Release: Unwilling to Comply, Government Replaces International Law With Its Own Interpretation

posted on September 30, 2014

  Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has introduced two new Bills to Parliament that propose to breach Australia’s obligations under international law. The Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 will re-introduce Temporary Protection Visas and redefine established principles of international law to suit the agenda of the Liberal-National Coalition Government. … Read More >>

ALHR and 63 other organisations call on Attorney-General to ratify OPCAT

posted on September 16, 2014

ALHR has endorsed an open letter to Attorney-General George Brandis calling on Australia to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). The letter is available below. The letter has been endorsed by 64 organisations, including indigenous justice, legal, refugee, disability, medical and mental health organisations. Copies have also been sent to State and Territory Attorneys-General.

Hon Michael Kirby: A bill of rights for Australia, not a lost cause!

posted on September 10, 2014

Tuesday, November 11, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (CST) Adelaide, SA In this special event, The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, will discuss the adoption of a national bill of rights in Australia. During a distinguished career spanning five decades, Mr Kirby served as a judge … Read More >>

Inquiry into the use of subsection 313(3) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 by government agencies to disrupt the operation of illegal online services

posted on September 7, 2014

ALHR has made submissions to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications in relation to the use of section 313(3) of the Telecommunications Act 1997. ALHR’s primary concern is that the Act should adhere to international human rights law and standards such as the ‘International Principles on the Application of Human Rights … Read More >>

ALHR Voices Concern About ‘Brain Dead’ Asylum Seeker

posted on September 5, 2014

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights is deeply concerned by reports this week that inadequate medical care in immigration detention facilities on Manus Island has left Iranian man, Hamid Kehazaei, brain dead after an infected cut to his foot led to septicaemia. The right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of … Read More >>

ALHR calls on UN to investigate proposed Tasmanian Anti-Protest laws

posted on August 26, 2014

A coalition of diverse community groups, including ALHR, has written to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights outlining their concerns at the proposed introduction of the Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Bill 2014. The groups have called on three Special Rapporteurs to investigate the incompatibility of the Bill with obligations under international … Read More >>

Fears Fundamental Rights Ousted in NSW Bail Reforms

posted on August 25, 2014

ALHR fears that proposed changes to bail laws in New South Wales threaten to breach Australia’s international human rights obligations. Under the proposed reforms for serious offences, the onus will be on the accused to “show cause” that their detention in custody is unjustified. Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR said “The changes would undermine the … Read More >>