Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Thu, 26/08/2021 - 09:05
On the 26 August 2001, the Norwegian vessel the MV Tampa rescued 433 people seeking asylum who were stranded at sea. Most of those rescued were Hazaras fleeing from the Taliban in Afghanistan.
What followed was a defining moment for our national character. Australian SAS forces boarded the Tampa and most of those onboard were subsequently detained on Nauru. The incident became a pivotal episode in the 2001 Federal Election.
Two decades later we continue to see the politicisation, and criminalisation, of refugees and people seeking asylum.
Read Liberty Victoria's submission to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act Engagement Paper.
The provision of quality mental health treatment has the capacity to positively impact
upon people experiencing mental illness. However, there are circumstances in which
the provision of such treatment — and the provision of compulsory treatment in
particular — has the capacity to significantly curtail the rights and freedoms of
consumers. Accordingly, it is vital that promoting and protecting human rights should
We accept that extremist movements and actors pose a significant threat to the Australian Community. However, over the past two decades there has been a focus on the danger of Islamist extremism at the expense of proper attention being given to the resurgence of farright extremism. As demonstrated by the Christchurch massacre, the danger of far-right extremism is all too real, can be fostered by Australian far-right movements, and can result in tragedy close to home.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Tue, 13/07/2021 - 11:08
Liberty Victoria is delighted to announce that Mohamed Semra is the 2021 Liberty Victoria Young Voltaire Human Rights Award recipient.
The Young Voltaire Human Rights Award honours a person or group no older than 30 at the date of their nomination for an outstanding contribution to or action on free speech, human rights or civil liberties, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality and dignity. It celebrates those who speak out, write, campaign, whistle-blow, take action or stand against authoritarianism.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Thu, 08/07/2021 - 09:28
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, legal, human rights and civil liberties organisations have called on the Andrews government to take urgent steps to increase transparency and prevent mistreatment behind bars after a new report has highlighted serious deficiencies in disciplinary processes in Victorian prisons.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Tue, 06/07/2021 - 10:25
In 2021, Liberty Victoria is awarding the Voltaire Empty Chair Award to all refugees and asylum seekers in on and off-shore detention.
Established in 2016, this award is presented to a person who is worthy to receive the Voltaire or Young Voltaire Human Rights Awards, but cannot be present to receive the award due to the consequences of their exercise of or advocacy for human rights, free speech or civil liberties. Previous recipients have been Iranian cartoonist Ali Dorani aka 'Eaten Fish', Behrouz Boochani and Bernard Collaery.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Tue, 06/07/2021 - 08:51
Liberty Victoria condemns the Federal Government’s decision to further cut arrivals to Australia. This was called for by the Victorian Government, amongst others. This is a breach of human rights which will exacerbate the suffering for people who have already been separated from their families for too long.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Fri, 02/07/2021 - 14:55
Public housing residents continue to be fearful one year on that the hard lockdown could happen again: Human rights and community lawyers, supported by local community organisations, urgently seek legal changes to protect against overreach of public safety powers Public housing residents continue to be fearful one year on that the hard lockdown could happen again: Human rights and community lawyers, supported by local community organisations, urgently seek legal changes to protect against overreach of public safety powers
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 15:22
Last week, on the same day that IBAC released its damning report into Victorian prisons, we marked the 15 year anniversary of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) coming into force.
And last weekend we marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Tue, 29/06/2021 - 15:17
Liberty Victoria is delighted to announce that the 2021 Voltaire Human Rights Award is being awarded to the Children of Tanya Day.
The Voltaire Human Rights Award honours a person or group have made outstanding contributions to human rights, free speech or civil liberties, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality, dignity and action.
