Mark Summerfield, a patent attorney, analyses the current UK alleged piracy/copyright extradition case with major international ramifications. As well, there's links to the NYT coverage of proposed new US laws which are even more draconian, and to an SMH story of the real-life experience of an Australian extradited and jailed in the US for a similar 'offence'.
A simple signature on a treaty, which the Labor Government has promised for more than four years, would bring relief to people penned behind bars these holidays. CLA is a signatory to a letter asking new Attorney-General Nicola Roxon to sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. With a stroke of the pen, a formal inspection regime would open up Australia's dark places to the light of external scrutiny.
How come many hundreds of personnel carrying weapons, some who almost certainly have committed crimes under international law, can enter Australia without Customs or security questioning, Humphrey McQueen asked in a speech outside Parliament House during the US President's visit? In truth, there's a wide range of Americans we would welcome to this country, historically or currently, but it doesn't include members of the Obama Gang, he told the audience.
After four years of lobbying, CLA's proposal for the government to report details about people we extradite to face trial overseas has been adopted by the Attorney-General's Department. The AG's annual report will in future carry reports of extradition requests granted by Australia and other relevant follow-up information.
Read the Minister's letter to CLA »...
Once again, this time in Sydney, a self-selected group of Attorneys-General from the West is meeting to decide – without reference to the Australian parliament – the shape of Australia's future laws. It's time MPs stood up to be counted against such emasculation of their roles and responsibilities, CLA says.
Editor, West Australian: The Prime Minister is obliged to support a Presidential clemency for Andrew Chan, an Australian citizen, in Indonesia. In doing so, she is supporting the UN Human Rights Charter which advocates all nations abolish capital punishment, which Australia has done.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has called for politicians to abandon short term political goals and treat asylum seekers and Indigenous disadvantage through a human rights-based approach. After a six-day visit here, she is also calling for a "fully-fledged Human Rights Act" for Australia.
Read article »..
EXCLUSIVE: Parliament should be more involved in any decision to go to war...and even more involved in a decision to stay at war, says retired General Peter Leahy, the man responsible for our soldiers for most of the Afghanistan war so far. He calls for a clear statement of Australia's national interests and strategy, and debate in parliament and throughout civil society.
'The cause for which we stand and when we must, fight, is freedom,' says Malcolm Turnbull in a thoughtful analysis of effects from the WikiLeaks/Assange matters. He also points out that the High Court in Australia is unlikely to protect the secrets of a foreign government or confidential political information, even if the government wants it to.
Harmless-sounding international conventions are the latest favoured way for governments to sign away individual liberties, and allow international spying on private data. Anti-rights 'crimes' are increasingly being committed by our politicians in the name of "anti-terror" laws and measures. Adam Brereton has the low down on high-sounding skulduggery.
Imminent new extradition and mutual assistance laws should incorporate the strong recommendations made by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, at CLA's instigation, for Australia to monitor and report to Parliament annually on the subsequent fate of people we extradite. Currently, like Pontius Pilate, we wash our hands of these people. So far the government has ignored JSCOT.
Young Australians linger apprehensively on death row in Bali, awaiting a final judicial appeal ruling, out of sight and mind, Alexia Hall says. Australia should be campaigning widely for a death penalty-free region, and engaging directly with Indonesia to spare the lives of three of the Bali Nine.
The draft report of the UN's Universal Periodic Review of Australia's civil liberties and human rights performance has been released, and it contains some clear surprises. The USA, for example, wants us to train Australia's police better in respecting human rights!
How were claims to human rights prioritised when the Universal Declaration was being established more than 60 years ago? CLA member Dr Bruce Kent outlines his perspective in European Human Rights 1919-1950: From Negative to Positive Example?
Read article »...
There's a new agreement on the block which some people say will restrict access to all sorts of material from overseas, or at least make it much more expensive. The final version of ACTA, the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement, is out.
::Next >>
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | © Civil Liberties Australia A04043 - ABN 46 368 619 567 |