Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed the opportunity provided by the INSLM to comment on powers relating to questioning warrants and questioning and detention warrants under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and control orders and preventative detention orders under the Criminal Code Act 1995. ALHR holds significant concern about the legislative … Read More >>
On 25 September 2012, 80 leading legal, human rights, health, community and women?s organisations wrote to the NSW Attorney General calling on him to retain and strengthen the NSW compensation scheme for victims of violent crime. ALHR is proud to have added its name to the list of signatories. The full text of the letter … Read More >>
ALHR called for greater oversight and monitoring of all places of detention in accordance with international human rights standards, after a recent Aboriginal death in custody was caused by NT Police ?lack of care?. The NT Coroner delivered his findings in Alice Springs, on Monday after an inquest into the death of Kwementyaye Briscoe, a … Read More >>
In a submission to a Joint Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security inquiring into proposed changes to national security and intelligence-gathering legislation, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has expressed concerns about potential breaches of human rights and international law if national security laws are amended to allow for the storage of Australians? online data for … Read More >>
Stephen Keim, Salwa Marsh and Kate Moran had an op-ed published on Online Opinion arguing against the Newman Government’s cuts to several community legal centres and support services. “The recent funding cuts will have a serious negative effect on the ability of the community to access justice. The government should reconsider the focus of its … Read More >>
See link for an Online Opinion piece from Stephen Keim and Benedict Coyne. http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=14068
In 2013 the UN Human Rights Committee will conduct its Sixth Periodic Report of Australia, reviewing Australia?s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In preparation for the review, the Committee will ask the Government to respond to a list of issues, which a coalition of Australian NGOs, including ALHR, have … Read More >>
In 2010 Australia was reviewed before the CEDAW committee (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women) and was asked to report back in two years (ie this year!) for a mid-term review on two particular issues: 1) Violence against women – including the implementation of the National Plan; 2) Special measures … Read More >>
ALHR made the attached submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Crimes Legislation (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012. The Bill seeks to give effect to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) with special reference to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, both … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is concerned that the Queensland Government?s recent funding cuts to community legal centres will adversely impact on access to justice in Queensland. The Environmental Defenders Office Qld, the Environmental Defenders Office NQ, Sisters Inside and, most recently, the Queensland Working Women’s Service have had their State government funding cut … Read More >>
The Stronger Futures legislation is currently before the Parliament, if passed would extend elements of the Northern Territory Intervention for a further 10 years. While the bills formally reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act, suspended in 2007 by the Howard Government’s NTNER Act, the current package is still inconsistent with discrimination laws and several human rights … Read More >>
ALHR has written to Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie urging his government to reconsider amendments to the Surrogacy Act 2010, which was enacted to enable any person – regardless of relationship status – to enter into a surrogacy arrangement. The proposed amendments would criminalise same-sex couples, singles and heterosexual de facto couples of less than two … Read More >>
