Bar Association Urges The Public To Speak Up In Support Of Human Rights

Bar Association urges the public to speak up in support of human rights

The president of the New South Wales Bar Association, Anna Katzmann SC, has
welcomed the Australian Government's community consultation on ways to protect
human rights.

'Too often, we take our freedom for granted. But Australia is the only democratic nation without legislation to protect basic human rights, such as freedom of expression and association, freedom from arbitrary detention and the right to privacy', Ms Katzmann said.

'State and federal governments have interfered with many of our basic rights. Few need to be reminded of the spectacle of children in immigration detention or the laws introduced in NSW to control public demonstrations, such as the infamous World Youth Day Regulation, introduced without notice in July this year. The occasion of the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a fitting time to reflect on these matters but 60 years is 60 years too long.

'A statute providing legislative protection for our basic rights, drafted after
thorough consultation with the community, would help to put a brake on the
growing trend towards knee-jerk law making', Ms Katzmann said. 'It would inhibit
the excesses of executive government and make government and the bureaucracy
more accountable.

In 2007 Bar Council decided to support a charter of rights, which would require governments to consult widely on the impact of a new law that infringed upon civil liberties and to fully justify it before parliament. The Law Council of Australia has also moved to support a federal Charter.

'A charter of rights would provide a legislative statement about the kind of society in which we want to live', Ms Katzmann concluded.

For further information, please contact
Alastair McConnachie at
the New South Wales Bar Association on
ph: (02) 9229 1756
mob: 0420 314 462 or
via e-mail:[email protected]

SOURCE: NSW Bar Association