(no subject)

[darren_stranger]

Further to patchworkkid's post on the new terrorist laws (here), this is Amnesty's action on it:

http://www.amnesty.org.au/Act_now/action_centre/australia_premiers_have_opportunity_to_ensure_anti-terror_laws_are_consistent_with_human_rights

Australia: Premiers have opportunity to ensure anti-terror laws are consistent with human rights

Introduction

On 8 September 2005, the Prime Minister announced a proposal to introduce new antiterrorism laws ahead of the special Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on counter-terrorism to be held on 27 September 2005.

The Prime Minister has stated that he will be seeking the cooperation of the State Premiers and Chief Ministers at the COAG meeting to pass legislation the Australian Government is constitutionally prohibited from passing. That is, the extension of periods of detention without charge to 14 days.

Condemn terror, not our human rights

Amnesty International strongly condemns the atrocities committed by armed groups such as al-Qa?ida. Those who carry out these cruel and criminal acts should be brought to justice.

Governments have a duty to protect our security, just as they have a duty to protect our human rights. It is not a case of one or the other. Our lasting security must go hand in hand with respect for human rights.

New laws undermine human rights

Amnesty International Australia is seriously concerned that the new laws proposed by the Federal Government further undermine basic human rights standards. These standards include the right to a fair trial, to freedom of expression and the right to protection from arbitrary imprisonment. The introduction of these laws requires, in part, the cooperation of the States and Territories.

Amnesty International calls upon each State Premier or Chief Minister to reject the passage of legislation in their states and territories which allows for detention without charge for 14 days. It is understood that a person may be detained without even being suspected of committing an offence.

Recommended Action

Please write to your State Premier or Chief Minister from the list below. In your appeal please state that all anti-terrorism legislation should comply with human rights standards and the rule of law including:

• the right to a fair trial;
• the right to freedom of expression; and
• the right to protection from arbitrary imprisonment.

ADDRESS AND SEND YOUR APPEALS TO YOUR STATE PREMIER/CHIEF MINISTER

from the list below:

New South Wales
The Hon. Morris Iemma MP,
Premier of NSW
Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Fax: (02) 9228 3935
Email: thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
Salutation: Dear Premier

Victoria
The Hon. Stephen Bracks MP,
Premier
Office of the Premier,
1 Treasury Place
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Fax: (03) 9651 5054
Email: premier@dpc.vic.gov.au
Salutation: Dear Premier

Western Australia
The Hon. Dr Geoff Gallop MLA
Premier of Western Australia
197 St George?s Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Fax: (08) 9322 1213
Email: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au
Salutation: Dear Premier

Tasmania
The Hon. Paul Lennon MHA,
Premier of Tasmania
10th Floor, 15 Murray Street,
HOBART TAS
Fax: (03) 6234 1572
Salutation: Dear Premier

Australian Capital Territory
The Hon Jon Stanhope MLA
Chief Minister of the ACT
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
Fax: (02) 6205 0433
Email: stanhope@act.gov.au
Salutation: Dear Chief Minister

South Australia
The Hon. Mike Rann MP,
Premier of South Australia
State Administration Centre
GPO Box 2343
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Fax: (08) 8463 3168
Email: premier@saugov.sa.gov.au
Salutation: Dear Premier

Queensland
The Hon. Peter Beattie MP
Premier of Queensland
PO Box 15185
City East QLD 4002 CDE M31
Fax: (07) 3221 3631
Email: premiers@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Salutation: Dear Premier

Northern Territory
The Hon. Clare Martin MLA
Chief Minister of the Northern
Territory
GPO Box 3146
DARWIN NT 0801
Fax: 08 8901 4099
Email: chiefminister.nt@nt.gov
Salutation: Dear Chief Minister

Comments

[greylock.livejournal.com]

Paul Lennon doesn't have e-mail?
WTF?

/email is a waste of time.
I'm going down the hill to Geoff's office for a wee chat.

[gothsuck.livejournal.com]

Just emailed away mate. Come to the demonstration on Satdee?

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Haven't heard about that yet.

Dunno. I'm not too sure about street protests at the moment - whether it does more harm than good to make something seem like only an issue for red flag waving crusty socialists and nothing for Mr and Mrs Mortgage Belt to concern themselves with. How to get through to *them* is the question.

[gothsuck.livejournal.com]

I posted it on my LJ. Hmmm Yes but its better than sitting at home screaming abuse at the tellie or on LJ.

*They* will never listen unless it effects them directly - or the THREAT that it might. Fuckin vanillas.