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).
Appeal to the Australian Government to Ratify the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (The Migrant Workers Convention)
The Migrant Workers Convention is one of the nine core United Nations human rights treaties. It has been ratified by 45 countries. On this 21st anniversary of the signing of this Convention and eight years after it entered into force, we join in the civil society appeal to Australia to ratify the Convention and to … Read More >>
Open Letter to Mr Rudd, foreign minister, urging him to protect Assange
74 prominent citizens have called on Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and new Attorney-General Nicola Roxon to take urgent steps to safeguard the human rights of WikiLeaks’s founder Julian Assange. The group comprises some of Australia’s most eminent public figures, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, as well as international figures such as Noam Chomsky, David … Read More >>
President’s Human Rights Day 2011 speech notes
Notes for a Talk to a Public Forum organised by the Refugee Action Collective to Celebrate Human Rights Day on 10 December 2011 at Toowong Senior Citizens Hall, 9 Maryvale Street, Toowong by Stephen Keim, President, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
Letter to Samoa
Mr Aumua Ming Leung Wai Office of the Attorney General P.O. Box 27 Apia, Samoa By email: attorney.general@ag.gov.ws Dear Attorney General Recommendations by the Samoan Law Reform Commission to repeal sections of the Crimes Ordinance Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is a network of Australian lawyers active in practising and promoting awareness of international … Read More >>
ALHR supports same-sex marriage
Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), today, said that the organisation supported the decision of the Australian Labor Party conference to commit the Party to a policy of lifting restrictions on same sex marriage. “From a human rights perspective, the issue of same-sex marriage is pretty straightforward. All human rights are … Read More >>