Week 7

Question 1

Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, Australian Human Rights Centre, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights

Answer 1

3 private organisations run by lawyers and academics with an interest in advocating for human rights

QCCL
Advocate for protection of individual; particularly negative rights; particularly in a criminal setting

Australian Human Rights Centre
Academic institution (part of UNSW) promoting and advocating for human rights in Australia

ALHR
legal professionals promoting awareness of international human rights standards in Australia

Question 2

Law Reform Commissions

Answer 2

ALRC & QLRC
Independent statutory bodies (government funded organisations whose independence is guaranteed by legislation)
Conduct formal and extensive reviews of legal issues at the request of the Attorney-General, including into human rights issues
Key Roles: research, consultation and making recommendations
Reports are released publicly; recommendations not binding but often used as a starting-point for major law reform
Examples:
QLRC currently reviewing privacy rights
ALRC currently reviewing freedom of religion