Submission to the AHRC Inquiry: Australia’s implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT)

posted on August 31, 2017

ALHR made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission on the Australian Government’s implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). On 9 February 2017, the Australian Government announced that it intends to ratify the OPCAT by December 2017 and ALHR welcomed … Read More >>

Lawyers reject Dutton’s attack on Australian values and Australian lawyers

posted on August 29, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemn Peter Dutton’s attack on our legal system and his attempt to redefine what Australians really stand for. The Minister’s total disregard for each and every person’s right to have legal representation, not just in Australia, but around the world, is extremely worrying. President of ALHR, Benedict Coyne said, “In … Read More >>

Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Cth) (the Bill)

posted on August 9, 2017

ALHR has written to members of the Senate cross bench urging them to consider voting outright against the passage of the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Cth) (the Bill). The Australian Government is seeking to make substantial changes to the requirements for the acquisition of … Read More >>

ALHR President and Vice President’s Report April 2016 – April 2017

posted on June 22, 2017

Executive Summary We are very pleased, honoured and excited to provide our first ALHR annual President and Vice President’s Report. We were both incredibly fortunate
to take up our positions following
a stellar two years of growth for ALHR under the brilliant leadership of Nathan Kennedy. During our first year in these roles we have also been … Read More >>

Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia

posted on May 24, 2017

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has commenced an inquiry into whether Australia should adopt national legislation to combat modern slavery, comparable to the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.  ALHR made a detailed submission to the Inquiry supporting the implementation of a … Read More >>

Scathing Senate report on offshore processing and conditions inside detention

posted on April 22, 2017

On Friday the government released a report by the Senate committee on legal and constitutional affairs, which followed a seven-month inquiry into allegations of abuse on Manus and Nauru sparked by the publication of the Nauru files. ALHR’s submission  was quoted extensively throughout the report. The Co-Chairs of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee Rebecca Dowd and … Read More >>

HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS WELCOME ACT AMENDMENTS TO DISCRIMINATION LAW

posted on April 12, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes recent changes to expand discrimination law in the ACT. The Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 (ACT) expands discrimination law to now include extra grounds on which discrimination is prohibited including where it is based on a person’s accommodation status, employment status, intersex status, status as a victim of family … Read More >>

Apparent indifference to human rights violations could damage Australia’s bid for UN Human Rights Council seat

posted on March 9, 2017

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s failure to censure US President Donald Trump’s recent policy decisions on refugees and immigration, supporting torture, violating the rights of women and rescinding protections for transgender students – to name just a few – highlight concerning inconsistencies in Australia’s current candidacy for a … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers slam decision to bring forward asylum application deadlines

posted on February 28, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is profoundly concerned about reports that the Australian Government has brought forward deadlines for asylum seekers who are subject to fast-track refugee status determination. Asylum seekers have been told to lodge their application within 14, 30 or 60 days of receiving a letter or risk losing welfare payments, access … Read More >>

Human Rights Lawyers applaud Brandis Announcement Australia will ratify OPCAT

posted on February 9, 2017

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcome today’s announcement by Federal Attorney-General George Brandis and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that Australia will ratify the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). OPCAT is an international agreement which aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in detention. The OPCAT was … Read More >>

Open statement calling for immediate action on offshore detention

posted on February 6, 2017

ALHR is proud to support and sign this  open statement  calling on our leaders to take responsibility and act to end the uncertainty for people on Manus Island and Nauru. It is time for for a bipartisan approach to evacuate the camps and bring people here to safety. Open statement calling for immediate action on offshore detention We, … Read More >>