Our End of Year Appeal:

Thursday, December 12 2024

On Human Rights Day, the Government’s attempts to circumvent the High Court’s ruling that ankle bracelet monitors and curfews are unconstitutional, are a powerful reminder that the battle for justice continues.

Today, amidst these injustices, we are launching our End of Year Appeal.

As invoked by the 2024 Human Rights Day theme, ‘Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now’: ‘human rights can empower individuals and communities to forge a better tomorrow…and are a pathway to solutions, playing a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good.’

And that the need to protect human rights is more urgent than ever.

Just last week, sweeping laws were rushed through parliament without any proper scrutiny. They are extreme measures to expand the offshore detention regime, deport people to life-threatening danger under threat of imprisonment here, impose blanket travel bans on particular nations, and for people detained – confiscation of their mobile phones and degrading strip searches.

These new laws not only compound the uncertainty and fear for many, but also threaten to endanger rights and lives.

Right now, we are continuing to fight against these and other injustices for thousands of people who seek our help – through direct legal action for many, and strategic litigation for systemic change.

We also continue to advocate fearlessly for major reform – change which demands urgent action. It must honour our international human rights obligations, the rule of law, and the values which underpin them: humanity, compassion, fairness and justice. It must begin with:

• Expedited reassessment and a path to permanency for thousands of people refused temporary protection
• Abolition of indefinite detention
• A safety net of supports for all in need
• Enduring protection for all people held in PNG and Nauru – and those brought back here
• Real options for family to reunite here

But real change does not just happen on its own. It’s up to us to make it happen – together.

On Human Rights Day, please consider donating to power our work to directly defend the rights of people whose lives are on the line—to ensure they get a fair go before the law and a better tomorrow.

With thanks and appreciation,

David Manne
CEO & Principal Solicitor
Refugee Legal