Is forensic science accurate? Not always, say a group of US scientists who want more rigorous research to prove the veracity of fingerprint, bite mark and screwdriver point comparisons – among other techniques – that produce ‘evidence’ used to send peopl…
As President Obama solidifies the USA’s stance against torture, Australia’s internal position is still uncertain. We need to legislate locally to make sure torture is as legally repugnant as it is morally, Prof. George Williams says.
Our torture laws…
A first-hand account in a book (‘Court in the Middle’) by convicted lawyer Andrew Fraser, lays bare the obscene reality behind the ‘rehabilitation’ rhetoric in Australia’sprisons. Keith McEwan provides a precis of Fraser’s telling comments.
For thos…
Computer systems to bypass filters continue to grow like tops and change ‘shape’ by the second to foil government blocking systems. The futility of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy’s attempts to hold back the internet ocean’s waves are highlighted…
In all the debate over what form an Australian bill or charter of rights should take, jousters gloss over the basic question: why should we have a bill of rights at all? Dr Bede Harris succinctly puts the arguments as to why such a bill underpins democra…
Even people accustomed to prosecuting under draconian laws think the special legislation against bikies is over the top. Keith McEwan argues that what is beign done to bikies sounds a big warning bell to people who value traditional civil liberties in Au…
NZ has enjoyed a Bill of Rights for two decades, without the sky falling in. CLA member Prof Richard Mulgan, in this paper presented at Australia’s Parliament House, explains the background to how NZ got its statutory legislation, how the system works, a…
Why did it take six days and citizen journalism to shed light on the death during a G20 protest in London of paper-seller Ian Tomlinson? Nick Davies of The Guardian examines the role of thepolice and the UK’s Independent Police Complaints Commission and…
Debate continues about whether Australia should have a bill of rights. Specially for CLA, Prof Simon Bronitt of the National Europe Centre at the ANU outlined the pedigree of rights instruments in the EU system. Listen to his talk (about 30 minutes and…
What should be the relationship between police and citizens? How should police behave at mass protests? Barrister and former UK Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald asks some pertinent questions, after a death at the G20 protests in London, in t…