Australian Lawyers for Human Rights is deeply concerned about whether newly appointed Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Tim Wilson is properly fulfilling his role following comments on ABC’s Lateline program (17 February 2014). This morning in Sydney, Vice-President of ALHR, Mr Nathan Kennedy stated: “Mr Wilson’s comments about the nature of human rights show a fundamental … Read More >>
On 16 February ALHR made a submission to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade, in relation to the Inquiry about the Fair Trade (Workers’ Rights) Bill 2013. ALHR’s submission stated that ‘passing the Bill will assist Australia to meet its obligations as a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and to … Read More >>
We are pleased to confirm that ALHR NSW will be holding a panel discussion on the proposed repeal of, or amendments to, the racial hatred provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act. We are honoured to have Australian of the Year, Mr Adam Goodes, attending as our guest. Confirmed panelists include: Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination … Read More >>
On 24 January ALHR issued a media release in response to the proposed new NSW laws imposing mandatory minimum sentences for a range of crimes including assault and affray. ALHR’s Vice President, Nathan Kennedy, said “The deaths due to recent ‘one-punch’ attacks in NSW are tragic and the Government has a responsibility to protect the … Read More >>
On 17 January ALHR issued a media release welcoming the announcement by Premier Newman that the Queensland government intends to repeal the bikie laws. ALHR’s spokesperson, Benedict Coyne, stated ‘The government is obviously under pressure. Its propaganda war against bikies as a justification for passing such repugnant and undemocratic laws is clearly not working’.
On 23 December 2013, ALHR announced it will be making a submission to inquiry by the Australian Law Reform Commission into ‘laws that encroach upon traditional rights, freedoms and privileges’. Various ALHR members have indicated an interest to be involved in ALHR’s work on this, and the research and drafting will begin in earnest in … Read More >>
Cuts to legal services risk human rights Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) have joined national calls for the Australian Government to reconsider its cuts to legal services. ‘These cuts will undermine national efforts to protect the human rights of all Australians,’ said ALHR President, John Southalan. ALHR opposes cuts to the Aboriginal and Torres … Read More >>
ALHR has criticised the Commonwealth’s announcement that it will cap onshore permanent protection visas for 2013/14 at 1650 already issued. ALHR’s Vice President, Nathan Kennedy, spoke on SBS condemning the Government’s decision: “It seems to be certainly within Australian domestic law an ability to do this but once you owe someone protection under the Refugee … Read More >>
ALHR is seeking leave to appear as amicus curiae in a High Court appeal in a native title case. The matter will be heard in February 2014. ALHR’s submissions focus on human rights standards about racial equality, and their implications for the common law and extinguishment of native title. All parties’ submissions are available on … Read More >>
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been asked to revoke his statement, made during his recent visit to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth summit, that suggested that the use of torture can be justified in “difficult circumstances”. In a joint letter, the Human Rights Law Centre, Human Rights Watch, the Castan Centre for Human Rights, … Read More >>
ALHR considers that the Prime Minister’s response to allegations of torture in Sri Lanka represents an alarming shift in Australia’s approach to international law. Torture is unconditionally banned under international law. This has always been the consensus: in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and in subsequent treaties on Civil and Political Rights and on … Read More >>
ALHR issued a press release strongly condemning Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s recent response to allegations of torture in Sri Lanka.
