The Human Rights Law Centre, the Australian Human Rights Institute (UNSW Sydney) and Amnesty International Australia today welcomed the passing of new legislation that will ensure appointments to the Australian Human Rights Commission are made through a merits-based selection system.

The Human Rights Law Centre today pays tribute to our incredible colleague and Board member, Fiona Smith AM, who passed away last week.

The Human Rights Law Centre and Australian Centre for International Justice are calling for an end to the unjust prosecution of war crimes whistleblower David McBride, as his whistleblowing defence hearing begins in Canberra on Thursday.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, legal and human rights organisations are reiterating calls for a new independent body to investigate allegations of police misconduct in light of research that has found public trust in Victoria Police has hit a new low after countless scandals.

We express profound concern that the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has been forced to take the drastic measure of suspending its visit to Australia due to obstruction encountered while attempting to carrying out its mandate during its visit to Australia under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

This week the International Commission of Jurists, Victoria announced Sanmati Verman, Managing Lawyer with the Human Rights Law Centre, as the winner of the 2022 John Gibson Award for her work defending the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum.

The Human Rights Law Centre today welcomed the announcement by the ACT Government that they will make it easier for people to take effective action when their human rights are being violated.

A statement of concern from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), Community Legal Centres NSW, Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC), Amnesty International Australia, Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT), First People’s Disability Network Australia (FPDNA) and Change the Record.

The draft legislation to establish the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is a missed opportunity for whistleblower protections and should be strengthened, the Human Rights Law Centre has told a parliamentary inquiry.

The Human Rights Law Centre will today appear before the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (Committee), to advocate for reforms that will make elections fairer and our democracy stronger.

The Albanese Government must end the practice of locking people in immigration detention for years on end in dire conditions, human rights experts have told the United Nations, ahead of its investigation of the Australian government’s compliance with the Convention Against Torture treaty. It must also repeal laws that are resulting in record numbers of people being detained.

In the lead up to the 2022 Victorian state election, the Human Rights Law Centre this week launched its state election platform calling on all parties to end the state’s mass imprisonment crisis and create a fairer legal system for everyone.