The SLEP E-Bulletin discusses the following developments - the UNHRC 2013 resolution on Sri Lanka;  Sri Lanka’s response to the UNHRC 2012 resolution and LLRC recommendations; calls to boycott CHOGM in Sri Lanka in November 2013; abuse of detainees:  women’s rights; threats to freedom of speech; deportation of Sri Lankan refugees; impeachment of the Chief Justice and the persecution of Muslims.

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The ICJA drafted a submission on powers relating to questioning warrants and questioning and detention warrants under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (Cth) and control orders under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) for the National Security Legilsation Monitor.

The International Commission of Jurists, Australia drafted a submission on the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slave-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill, which is intended to remedy several legislative omissions under the current Australian legislative framework for combating people trafficking, slavery, and forced marriage. The ICJA was concerned that the bill does not fully remedy the gaps in the existing law.

The ICJA has made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission in relation to the inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offfences who say that they are children. 
 
 
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE SUBMISSION.

Paper by The Hon John Dowd AO QC, President International Commission of Jurists, Australia presented on 29 October 2011 at the 2nd International Conference, Peoples’ Right for Resistance: the Case of Sahrawi People, Dar Diaf – Bouchaoui, Algiers

Mr Chairman, Mr President, Members of Parliament, distinguished delegates. In the year since most of us here were in Le Mans, the world has very much changed. It is called the “Arab Spring”, but in fact is much more than just changes within the Arabic speaking countries.

“Those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity at the end of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009 must not be allowed to go unpunished”, said John Dowd AO QC, the President of The International Commission of Jurists, Australia (ICJA). “The expert committee established by the United Nations Secretary-General found credible allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. The Expert Panel called on the Sri Lankan Government to immediately commence genuine investigations into such allegations. This has not happened”, said John Dowd.

PRESS RELEASE
“The Minister for Immigration should be removed as Guardian of unaccompanied refugee children, to afford them some real protection on arrival in Australia” said The Honourable John Dowd AO QC, President of The International Commission of Jurists Australia. 

Click here for a PDF of the release.

In accordance with the undertaking given by the Hon Greg Smith MP, the new NSW Attorney General, a review of the Bail Act 1978 has been commissioned. The review is being undertaken by the NSW law reform commission. The NSW section of the ICJ has made a submission. Click here for a PDF of the submission.