Submission on Marriage Equality Bill
ALHR has made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee in support of the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012.
Joint Letter urges Bob Carr to encourage US accession to Mine Ban Treaty
ALHR added its voice to a joint letter from humanitarian organisations urging Foreign Minister Bob Carr to use diplomatic channels to urge the US to accede to the Mine Ban Treaty. The letter was initiated by the Australian Network to Ban Land Mines and Cluster Munitions (ANBLC). Commending his principled stand in publicly condemning the … Read More >>
OPCAT Letter: Response from Attorney-General
Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has responded to the joint letter of 21 December 2011 urging the Australian Government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). In her response, Attorney-General Roxon assured the parties that the Australian Government was working towards ratification, and … Read More >>
Human Rights and Australia’s Anti-Terrorism Legislation
One of our members, Nathan Kennedy, recently made a presentation on behalf of ALHR on the above topic at a two-day seminar for Muslim religious workers and leaders, ‘Maintaining a Resilient Community’. The seminar was organised in response to perceptions among the Muslim community that legislation and programs to counter violent extremism unfairly target their … Read More >>
ALHR WA Seminar: Access to information and the resources sector
The access and use of information in the resources sector raised many legal issues and complexities. The Freedom of Information Act and international human rights laws specify standards and procedures for obtaining information while also protecting commercial and personal interests. Resources companies are facing increasing demands, under Australian and international standards, to provide information about … Read More >>
Submission on Draft National Human Rights Action Plan
ALHR welcomed the opportunity contribute to the next stage of consultation in the Government’s National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP), making a detailed submission on the Exposure Draft
ALHR welcomes Government decision to ratify OPCAT
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) today welcomed the Federal Government’s action in tabling a National Interest analysis which records its decision to ratify the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). ALHR President Stephen Keim SC applauded the move as ‘a critical … Read More >>
ALHR submission on mandatory minimum sentences for people smuggling
ALHR yesterday made a submission supporting a Bill that proposes to remove current provisions of the Migration Act which provide for minimum penalties for persons found guilty of aggravated people smuggling offences. The minimum penalties range from 5 to 8 years imprisonment. The minimum mandatory sentencing regime has been widely criticised for its inhumane and … Read More >>
ALHR calls for independent investigation system for deaths occurring in police custody
The President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (‘ALHR’), Stephen Keim, today called upon the Northern Territory government to act to ensure that a properly resourced investigation unit be established that is independent of the police force and capable of responding quickly and proactively when an incident occurs. ‘One acceptable model’, said Mr. Keim, ‘would … Read More >>
ALHR Submission on Anti-Discrimination Law Consolidation
In this substantial submission to the Attorney-General’s project to consolidate Commonwealth anti-discrimination law, ALHR made 34 recommendations on the legislative regime to protect Australians from discrimination.
Submission on Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill
ALHR welcomed the opportunity to make a submission on the Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill 2011, which amends certain evidentiary procedures in the Migration Act that have an impact on minors implicated in people smuggling offences. Specifically, the Bill defines timeframes and establishes evidentiary procedures for the age determination and prosecution of non-citizens who … Read More >>
Joint Letter to Attorney-General urges Government to ratify OPCAT
We, the undersigned organisations, are writing to urge the Australian Government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).