Liberty Victoria honours Bernard Collaery and Witness J with the Empty Chair Human Rights Award

Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Wed, 08/07/2020 - 09:03

The secret trials of lawyer Bernard Collaery and Witness J challenge one of the fundamental bases of our legal system: the requirement for open justice and accountability.

In recognition of these extraordinary events it is my privilege to announce Bernard Collaery and Witness J as joint winners of Liberty Victoria’s Empty Chair Award, and to invite you to hear from Bernard at the Voltaire Awards Webinar on Friday 24 July at 7pm.  

Press Release - Dylan Alcott Honoured with the Liberty Victoria Voltaire Human Rights Award

Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Fri, 10/07/2020 - 09:34

When Dylan Alcott gives presentations, he sometimes asks the question “What’s worse than being in a wheelchair?”

Then he flashes up a picture of someone wearing that often contentious form of footwear – crocs.

Dylan is probably best known as a Paralympic gold medallist and grand slam tennis champion.

He is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities.

For Dylan, being in a wheelchair isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a person. Being hidden away and struggling for confidence and social inclusion probably is.

Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Respecting and protecting human rights have become more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Liberty Victoria recognises that the scale and severity of the crisis has required a response that necessarily limits the human rights and liberties of all Victorians. Sensibly, the focus of the response has been focused on saving lives. However, Liberty Victoria is concerned that there are examples where the COVID-19 response — either through the design of regulation or through the actions of public authorities — has been disproportionate.

Tags: 
Covid-19 and Human Rights
Coronavirus and Human Rights
Victorian Government State of Disaster and Human Rights

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