Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed additional refugee places announced in the Federal Budget. However, we are concerned by continued costs blow-outs on Australia’s inhumane offshore detention system, as well as cuts that impact Australia’s commitment to establish proper oversight and scrutiny of detention facilities and the cruel exclusion of people on temporary … Read More >>
At a time when the human rights of Australians are directly at risk from climate-driven floods, bushfires and heatwaves, the budget has cut spending on climate action, with a reduction from $2 billion to $1.3 billion over four years (a cut of 35 per cent per year). During its current term, this Government has seen … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has described the 2022-2023 Federal Budget as reflecting a Federal Government that does not have a vision of Australia as a modern democracy that values human rights. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR is alarmed that the budget reflects a clear disregard for Australia’s need to develop improved national … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on Senators to oppose the Morrison Government’s heavily-criticised Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill. The Bill failed to pass the Parliament before the 2019 election and was then blocked by the Senate in October 2021. ALHR says the Bill’s proposed measures undermine our criminal justice system … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes news that the Morrison Government has accepted the New Zealand offer to permanently resettle 450 refugees over a three-year period. The move will prioritise refugees currently detained offshore in Nauru, but will also extend eligibility to refugees detained indefinitely onshore in immigration facilities or in community detention. ALHR … Read More >>
Leading human rights lawyers have spoken out in support of students’ right to attend today’s climate change strikes and to demand Australia take meaningful action to secure the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR stands with children and young people around Australia … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed concern at the retention of an archaic and discriminatory law that criminalises homosexuality in Singapore. The comments follow a challenge to the law in the Singapore Court of Appeal which ultimately dismissed the plaintiffs’ constitutional arguments for lack of standing. ALHR executive and LGBTI cochair, Nicholas Stewart, … Read More >>
Following release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) the nation’s leading association of human rights lawyers has warned that virtually all of the human rights Australia is obliged to uphold under core international treaties, depend on meaningful action on climate change. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on the … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned Tasmanian Senator Claire Chandler’s “Save Women’s Sports Bill”, as divisive, completely lacking in any evidence-base and inconsistent with international human rights principles. ALHR LGBTI Co-Chair, Georgia Burke, said, “The Bill is unnecessary because section 42(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 already allows people to be excluded … Read More >>
Following today’s release of two key inquiry reports into the Morrison Government’s divisive Religious Discrimination Bill 2021, Australia’s leading association of human rights lawyers has said the entire Bill should be withdrawn because it is unworkable, at odds with Australia’s obligations under international human rights law and an unprecedented attack on existing anti-discrimination protections in … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned Citipointe Christian College’s Contract of Enrolment as blatantly discriminatory, adding that it illustrates the serious human rights risks for LGBTIQ+ children, young people and the broader community if the Morrison Government’s Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 is passed. The Bill is due to return to the Federal Parliament … Read More >>
ALHR strives to walk in solidarity as a strong ally to First Nations people and communities. Today, on #InvasionDay2022 we call on the Australian Government to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, guided by the Uluru Statement from the Heart and establish a Makarrata Commission for the purpose of treaty making … Read More >>
