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 >>
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant effect on individuals, communities and governments. Please join ALHR for a Zoom panel discussion to discuss the impact of the virus on our economic, social, cultural, and civil and political rights. The discussion will have a particular focus on the impact of the virus on the human rights of vulnerable groups … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has joined a call from over 180 civil society organisations to extend critical COVID-19 support to temporary visa holders, including refugees and people seeking asylum. In an open letter sent to the Prime Minister, the group outlined their concerns that 1.1 million temporary visa holders across the country are … Read More >>
Welcoming Disability Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Down Syndrome Australia have launched a new national campaign, Welcoming Disability, to address the discrimination faced by people with a disability applying to migrate to Australia. People are being refused Australian visas simply because they have a disability or health issue, even though they meet all … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and Down Syndrome Australia invite you to join us this Thursday evening in Adelaide at the official launch of Welcoming Disability – a campaign calling for the urgent review of Australia’s current migration health laws. We are honoured to be hosting the eminent human rights expert Professor Mary Crock as … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) joins more than 5,000 doctors and calls on the Senate to retain the Medevac legislation. “The Medevac legislation has contributed to ensuring that vulnerable people receive vital medical treatment when they need it,” said Jessica Bayley, Chair of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Committee. “It creates a vital framework whereby the … Read More >>
In a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding the Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 (August 2019), ALHR again expressed its strong opposition to any measures to either repeal or reduce the scope of the Medevac legislation, including via the Bill. The Medevac legislation seeks to ensure that people who are currently … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned the Federal Government’s attempt to repeal the Medevac legislation via the Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019, which passed the House of Representatives last week, and is calling on the Senate to vote against the Bill. “Since the Medevac legislation came into force on 2 March … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed this week’s Federal Court judgment, which held that the Federal Government must consider applications for refugees on Manus and Nauru made under the Medevac legislation which are made in accordance with ordinary Australian medical practices. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “This decision recognises that people should not … Read More >>
Leading human rights lawyers continue to be appalled by use of public interest criteria in the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) and Migration Regulations 1994 to stop people with disability from permanently living in Australia. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) says the case of Kinley Wangyel Wangchuk’s family being denied permanent residency in Australia on … Read More >>
