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 >>
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.
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 >>
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 >>
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 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 >>
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 >>
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.
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 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 >>
As part of the four-year review into the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), ALHR endorsed the submissions of the Human Rights Law Resource Centre and the Federation of Community Legal Centres and additionally made the following submissions: * that additional rights be included under the Charter, including those under international human … Read More >>
The Hon Paul Lucas MP Queensland Deputy Premier and Attorney General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State ** Where Gibson Room Z Block, Level 10 QUT Gardens Point Campus ** When Thursday 30 June 2011 5.30pm Refreshments 6.00pm Lecture 7.00pm Lecture concludes ** The Speaker Paul Lucas was elected to State Parliament for the seat of … Read More >>
