The Human Rights Framework: What Does it Offer?
Speech by ALHR President Stephen Keim SC at the Amnesty International (Qld & Nth NSW Branch) Indigenous Rights Conference on 5 October 2011
‘Who’s Afraid of Human Rights’ TAS
ALHR Tasmania presents : Julian Burnside AO QC- ‘Who’s Afraid of Human Rights’ Greg Barns, Barrister- ‘Our Indigenous Human Rights Failure’ 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Migration amendments put Australia on collision course with Convention obligations
Stephen Keim SC, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), today called on the Australian Government to abandon its proposed amendments to the Migration Act. ‘These proposed amendments put Australia on an unprecedented collision course with its Convention obligations,’ he said. ‘While there are a number of elements of Australia’s refugee policy in recent … Read More >>
ALHR Submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-Generals Consultation on draft NHRAP Baseline Study
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights recently put forward a submission to the Attorney Generals consultation on its draft Baseline Study for a National Human Rights Action Plan.
ALHR calls on Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to encourage Fiji to lift PER
Stephen Keim, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, today, strongly urged Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to take action to encourage Fiji to lift Public Emergency Regulations and other restrictions on freedom of expression. Mr. Keim said: “Since April 2009, the Public Emergency Regulations have been used to suppress criticism of the military and intimidate … Read More >>
ALHR Calls Upon Government to Resist Offshore Processing in Light of Landmark High Court Decision
Stephen Keim SC, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, today, called upon the Australian Government to resist offshore processing of asylum seekers in light of last week’s decision by the High Court, which ruled the Malaysia Solution to be invalid, and the advice of the Commonwealth Solicitor-General, released on Sunday. ‘Onshore processing is the … Read More >>
The Law and Medicine: diverging images of trauma in Darfur NSW
Different disciplines view historical events through the lens of their own professional preoccupations. The international lawyer is concerned with whether or not the law can be applied and enforced to achieve peace or to redress wrongs. The medical professional is concerned with the alleviation of human suffering through the treatment of physical and mental harm. … Read More >>
ALHR endorses Pretoria Statement on strengthening the UN treaty system
ALHR endorsed the Pretoria Statement on the Strengthening and Reform of the UN Human Rights Treaty Body System. The statement was an outcome of a civil society consultation hosted at the University of Pretoria from 20-21 June 2011, and builds on a series of consultations and statements on reform of the treaty body system, representing … Read More >>
Qld Scrutiny of Legislation Conference QLD
Scrutiny of Legislation Conference being held at Parliament House, Brisbane, from 26 to 28 July 2011 Every two years, members of parliamentary committees from Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere come together with people who support or have interest in their work. They discuss legislation, the rule of law and human rights principles. Your participation in … Read More >>
Human Rights Considerations Important in Setting Proposed Minerals Resource Rent Tax
In response to the Federal Government’s consultation regarding the Mineral Resources Rent Tax, ALHR made a submission urging the Gillard Government to consider Australia’s international treaty obligations which obliged the Government to use “maximum available resources” to ensure the human rights of Australians.
ALHR joins Open Letter calling on Australian Government to honour Cluster Munitions treaty obligations
On 6 July 2011, an open letter was sent to Australia’s Defense Minister, Foriegn Affairs Minister and Attorney General regarding the proposed legislation in Australia that would implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions and enable Australia to ratify and become a State Party to the Convention. ALHR President Stephen Keim SC added his name to … Read More >>
ALHR makes submissions on Bill to reform asylum seeker processing and detention
ALHR made a detailed submission to the Senate Inquiry into the provisions of the Migration Amenndment (Detention Reform and Procedural Fairness) Bill 2010. The Bill aims to end offshore processing of asylum claims and the excision policy, to ensure that detention is only used as a last resort, to end indefinite and long-term detention, and … Read More >>