NEWS RELEASE - INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS AUSTRALIA
****EMBARGOED TILL 10.30AM 27 APRIL 2010****


YOUNG LAWYERS AND INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS AUSTRALIA
ESTABLISH EVIDENCE TAKING PROJECT TO PREPARE FOR WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ON SRI LANKA

Press Conference – 11.30AM, Tuesday 27 April 2010
Board Room 1, NSW Law Society Office, Level 5, 55 Hunter St, Sydney

“A number of NSW Young Lawyers have joined with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Australia to train young qualified lawyers from both organisations in the taking of statements to be used in any war crimes tribunal which may be established in relation to the conflict between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lanka government.” said John Dowd AO QC, President of ICJ Australia.

The evidence taking project has been established under the leadership of Mr Robert Dubler SC, a practitioner in international law, to train and prepare young lawyers for the taking of evidence statements in a post-conflict situation. He and his committee will supervise the collation, storage and control of the evidence of which is to be taken.

“A large number of young lawyers have volunteered to take statements and to do what is required to assist in the establishment of a war crimes tribunal following the events that have occurred over a number of years in Sri Lanka,” said Anne-Marie Doueihy, a solicitor and former vice-chair of the International Law Committee of the NSW Young Lawyers. 

Mr Dowd further added, “One of our main concerns is that of the 90,000 people still in prison camps, particularly the former combatants, are not identified or subject to international supervision. We want to let it be known that if any further crimes against humanity or war crimes are committed against these persons, that the Sri Lankan army knows that they may have to face justice. The aim is to deter those who might cause harm to those still held in custody.”

The evidence that will be collected will relate to any crimes that may have been committed by any of the parties to the conflict. It is hoped that the international community will soon set up a tribunal.

Evidence will be taken in Australia from witnesses here, including refugees. Evidence will also be taken from other countries in the region, to which the lawyers and interpreters will travel.

For comment:
Robert Dubler SC - (02) 9223 8504                     
John Dowd AO QC - (02) 8249 3221
Anne- Marie Doueihy - 0405 223 217
 

On 27 February 2009 the ICJ release the final report of the Eminent Jurists Panel EJP). The EJP conducted a worldwide investigation into the impact of counter-terrorism laws and practices on human rights. The report Assessing Damage, Urging Action is the result of a three-year investigation that draws on sixteen hearings covering forty countries in all regions of the world, including Australia.

The report concludes that many governments have confronted the threat of terrorism with ill-conceived measures that have undermined cherished values and resulted in serious violations of human rights. It illustrates the devastating effects that notorious counter-terrorism measures such as extraordinary rendition, torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials have had on human rights worldwide. It warns of the increasing secrecy preventing accountability, and the danger of “temporary” measures becoming permanent features of law and practice in many states, including in democratic societies. Click here to access a copy of the report.

On 25 June 2009 the Senate referred the Anti-Terrorism Laws Reform Bill 2009 for inquiry and report. The Bill is a private Senator's Bill and seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, the Crimes Act 1914 and the Australian Information Security Organisations Act 1979. The ICJA has made a submission to the Inquiry.

The Bill and second reading speech can be accessed here.

The ICJA's submission can be accessed here.
 

On 30 September 2009 the President of the International Commission of Jurists Australia was interviewed by Michael Cavanagh, ABC Radio about the situation in Sri Lanka. The interview can be accessed at the following web address:

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/200909/s2700592.htm

On May 19 2009, the Government of  Sri Lanka reported it had won the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers). However, with the end to the war, accusations of human rights violations and war crimes are emerging. Independent media recently reported deaths of 1400 civilians per week in military run camps where war refugees are currently interned indefinitely.

What is the real situation in Sri Lanka?
What is the role of the Government of Australia and its people in protecting human rights in the Asia-Pacific region?

These issues and more will be discussed at a forum on Wednesday 9th September 2009.

Time: 12.30pm - 2.00pm (Lunch provided)
Venue: Room 1R5, Federal Parliament
RSVP: 4.00pm Monday 24th August 2009
(Strictly registered visitors only)

Guest speakers will include as follows The Hon. John Dowd AO QC, President of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Australia and Vice President of ICJ Geneva; Ms. Sharan Burrow, President of Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU); Dr. John Whitehall, Paediatrician and Associate Professor in Public Health at James Cook University; Mr. Bruce Haigh, Political commentator and author and a former Australian diplomat; and Rev. Pan Jordan, Catholic Priest and Coordinator of the Queensland Branch of Pax Christi International.

For more information or to RSVP please call Dr. Sam Pari on 0433428967.