Mr Geoffery Robertson OAM Queens Counsel and Ms Amal Clooney will be among the experts to appear before an inquiry on whether to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses.
The public hearing will be held on Friday 15th May at Parliament House with witnesses appearing via videoconference.
The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, confirmed that interest in the Inquiry is strong, with international human rights legal experts keen to provide evidence.
‘The Sub-Committee looks forward to contributions from a number of pre-eminent human rights experts who are experienced with Magnitsky-style laws at the global level. The Sub-Committee will learn from international experience and collaboration. The evidence indicates that communication and collaboration between jurisdictions is vital to the success of targeted sanctions’, Mr Andrews said.
Other witnesses will include the Rt. Hon. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury representing the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, Professor Irwin Cotler and Mr Bill Browder, widely credited with instigating Magnitsky legislation.
Senator Fawcett, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade said, ‘The level of interest in this inquiry reflects the high level of international commitment to human rights, and recognition that Australia’s contribution to a global collective effort is vital’.
The proceedings will be broadcast via aph.gov.au/live. Morning and evening sessions will allow experts from various time zones to participate. A full program will be released closer to the time.
Media inquiries
The Hon Kevin Andrews MP
Contact: Cristy Elliott
03 9848 9900
02 6277 4023
cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 2313
jscfadt@aph.gov.au
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.
