Submission on Freedom of Speech (Repeal of s. 18C) Bill 2014
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has made a submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-General in relation to the proposed amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).
The Need for a SA Parliamentary Committee to scrutinise bills for their Human Rights Impact
ALHR has written to the South Australian Premier and Opposition Leader concerned that South Australia lacks a parliamentary committee that undertakes pre-enactment legislative scrutiny or post-legislative scrutiny of legislation for human rights impact, or indeed impact on any rights. ALHR has urged that South Australia put such a committee in place.
Extreme CMC reforms undermine democracy in Queensland
The radical changes sought by the LNP in the Crime and Misconduct and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 will end a golden era of anti-corruption in Queensland. The reforms will erode the rights of everyday Queenslanders and compromise their ability to hold their Government and police force accountable via our robust and independent Crime and … Read More >>
Newman’s Queensland: Here we Joh again
Here is the link to a speech given by former ALHR President Stephen Keim SC on the proposed changes to the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
PIAC and ICEP Release Report on Sri Lankan War Crimes
The report, Island of impunity? Investigation into international crimes in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war, was produced by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s (PIAC’s) International Crimes Evidence Project (ICEP). The report sheds new light on some of the worst alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the final months of the … Read More >>
ALHR urges caution on racial discrimination changes
ALHR raised concerns with the Government’s exposure draft of proposed amendments to racial discrimination laws. John Southalan, ALHR’s President, said “This proposed change to the law removes important protections against racial discrimination. We reject the Government’s suggestion that racial vilification or intimidation is acceptable if done ‘in the course of…public discussion of any political [or] … Read More >>
Newman Government’s Juvenile Injustice Proposals
ALHR today criticised the Newman Government’s proposed juvenile justice laws. Queensland Convenor, Benedict Coyne, stated this morning: “The Newman Government’s proposals are inconsistent with various human rights obligations under international instruments including the Convention on the Rights of the Child which Australia was one of the first countries to ratify in December 1990”. The full … Read More >>
ALHR endorses open letter of support published by the Darfur Action Network in The Australian
ALHR today endorsed an open letter of support for African Refugee Communities published by the Darfur Australia Network in The Australian.
AGM notice, proxy and nomination forms
The 2014 annual general meeting of ALHR will be held on 31 March 2014 at 6pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (ie. the time in Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne). Full details are available below. All ALHR members are encouraged to consider nominating for a position on the national committee, and to attend the AGM where elections for the 14/15 … Read More >>
Do we need an International law of Ecocide?
On 12 March, ALHR co-hosted by a public lecture with Australian Earth Laws Alliance and the International Commission of Jurists (Queensland). The event, at the Banco Court in Brisbane, was a lecture by UK Barrister Polly Higgins addressing the lack of a (legal) duty of care to care for the Earth, and talking about an … Read More >>
Amicus application in the High Court
On 12 February ALHR sought leave to make amicus submissions to the High Court, on the hearing of an appeal brought by the Western Australian Government and BHP Billiton against a native title decision of the Federal Court. The Court did not grant ALHR leave, but issued its decision on 12 March 2014 dismissing the … Read More >>
Overseas aid and development
ALHR made a submission to the Senate inquiry into overseas aid and development. ALHR’s submission identified the relevant international human rights standards, to which Australia has committed, and emphasised two main points. [1] Australia is able to be a more significant actor in international development, particularly when compared with the action of other countries in … Read More >>