Law Council Human Rights Award Winner
20 December 2004 at 12:12 pm
High-profile Melbourne barrister and prominent human rights campaigner, Julian Burnside QC, has been awarded the 2004 Human Rights Law Award, sponsored by the Law Council of Australia.
The Human Rights Law Award, presented at a ceremony in Sydney this month by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, recognised Burnside’s on-going contribution towards protecting the human rights of individuals and groups.
The President of the Law Council, Stephen Southwood QC says Julian is one of Australia’s most prominent human rights advocates. He has spoken out strongly against the poor treatment of asylum seekers and refugees, and the harmful effects of mandatory detention on children. He thoroughly deserves this award.
Southwood says the Law Council places a strong emphasis on the importance of human rights.
Its International Law Section recently established a Human Rights Observer Panel, which will monitor human rights issues and make recommendations on cases in which a trial observer should be considered.
The Human Rights Law Award was judged by a panel of experts appointed by the Law Council. The panel comprised Nicholas Cowdery QC, Justice Ruth McColl and Justice Catherine Branson.
Four other entrants – Phillip Taylor, Eric Vadarlis, the PILCH Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic, and David Hicks’ lawyer Stephen Kenny – were presented with high commendations for their human rights work.
The Law Council of Australia exists to represent the legal profession at the national level, to speak on behalf of its constituent bodies on national issues, and to promote the administration of justice, access to justice and general improvement of the law.
