Human Rights Heroes…Liberty Awards

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See press release from liberty-human-rights.org.uk

Human rights heroes from various walks of life were rewarded for their achievements at Liberty’s Human Rights Awards last night. Inspiring young people, artists and campaigners were honoured along with dedicated lawyers, journalists and politicians at the ceremony at the capital’s Southbank Centre. The event, which was hosted by comedian Marcus Brigstocke, was attended by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, Attorney General Dominic Grieve and Baroness Hale, as well as senior figures from the worlds of law, media and the arts. Sir Patrick Stewart, Dame Vivienne Westwood and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were amongst those handing out the awards. And Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke and Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti presented the Norwegian Ambassador Kim Traavik with a special tribute to the people of Norway in honour of the victims of 22 July 2011 and the dignity and humanity of the country’s response. Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said: We are full of admiration and appreciation for the dedication and commitment to the protection of rights and freedoms shown by all our winners and nominees. It’s been an interesting year for human rights and the fight to defend the Human Rights Act, which has never been more vital, is far from over. But we’re acutely aware that we’re far from alone in that promotion of human dignity, equal treatment and fairness and Liberty is immensely proud to honour our candidates’ achievements. The Liberty Human Rights Awards 2011 winners and category nominees in full were: Human Rights Young Person of the Year: Cerie Bullivant — for his inspirational and courageous personal campaign against the unjust control order regime and proposed Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill. The other nominees were Zin Derfoufi, Abigail Stepnitz and Chris Whitehead. Human Rights Arts Award, in association with the Southbank centre: Penny Woolcock, screenwriter and film director of On the Streets — for her compassion and commitment to those living and surviving on the margins. The other nominees were the Iceandfire Theatre Company and David R. Dow for Killing Time: One Man’s Race to Stop an Execution. Human Rights Lawyer of the Year: Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholas Mercer — for his integrity and courage in the face of dissembling and denial of human rights abuses by British forces in Iraq. The other nominees were Fiona Murphy, of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, and Hugh Southey QC, of Tooks Chambers. Human Rights Close to Home Award: Janis Sharp — for her passionate and sustained campaign to protect her son, Gary McKinnon, from facing extradition to the USA. The other nominees were Janet Alder, Davies, Gore & Lomax LLP and Housing Justice. Independent Voice of the Year: Peter Oborne – for calling to account the most powerful in our country, especially in relation to the shameful history of complicity in torture during the War on Terror. The other nominees were Joe Plomin, Paul Kenyon & BBC Panorama and Tom Watson MP. Lifetime Achievement Award: John Hendy QC, from Old Square Chambers — in recognition of a career dedicated to defending and upholding the rights of workers and trade unionists in this country. Human Rights Long Walk Award: Private Eye – for keeping the powerful on their toes and the public informed and entertained — and Tony Bunyan & Statewatch — for dedication to openness, democracy and informed debate about European institutions, keeping us reliably informed and suitably engaged for the last 20 years.

Except for Filesharers?…OSCE calls for a human right to internet access

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Based on article from digitaltrends.com

A new report from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says Internet access should be a fundamental human right, like freedom of expression.The study also argues that Internet blocking and content filtering mandates and technologies are, in most cases, cannot be reconciled with the free flow of information and freedom of expression, both of which are basic commitments made by the 56 members of the OSCE. Everyone should have a right to participate in the information society and states have a responsibility to ensure citizens access to the Internet is guaranteed,’ the report reads. The study, authored by Istabul Bilgi University’s Yaman Akdeniz and commissions by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic’ examines the level of Internet content regulation in the OSCE region and evaluations how member states’ laws embody their OSCE commitments and international standards. Legislation in many countries does not recognize that freedom of expression and freedom of the media equally apply to Internet as a modern means of exercising these rights, said Representative Mijatovic’, in a statement. In some of our states, ‘extremism, terrorist propaganda, harmful content, and hate speech are vaguely defined and may be widely interpreted to ban speech types that Internet users may not deem illegal.’ The report also noted that many countries permit the complete suspension of Internet access and services during a declared state of emergency, war, or in response to other security threats. Foreign Office to discuss UK policy on freedom of expression on the internet Based on article from computing.co.uk The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will host a multidisciplinary meeting next week exploring the UK’s policy towards freedom of expression on the internet. The first meeting, which will be led by Jeremy Browne, minister for state at the FCO, takes place on 20 July. It will include representatives from human rights campaigners. No doubt the meeting will discuss how Britain’s three strikes and your cut off from the internet stacks up with the call for a human right to internet access.

The Great, the Good, the Worthy and the Not…Liberty’s Human Rights Award Winners 2010

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Some worthy winners but the awards were somewhat devalued by the nomination of Kat Banyard. Her campaigning against sexual entertainment for men is all about imposing her morality on others. Exactly what human rights are supposed to defend against. Based on article from liberty-human-rights.org.uk

Human Rights Long Walk Award No2ID For their tireless campaign to publicise the threat to liberty and personal privacy posed by the introduction of ID cards – central to bringing about a Bill to repeal the Identity Cards Act and to scrap ID cards and the National Identity Register. Human Rights Young Person of the Year Award Young Legal Aid Lawyers For their outstanding commitment to providing quality representation, advice and access to justice for those who could otherwise not afford it, despite the constant cuts and restrictions to legal aid work and the lack of financial sponsorship or reward. Human Rights Arts Award, in association with Southbank Centre Nicolas Kent and Indhu Rubasingham & The Tricycle Theatre For their proud record of highlighting some of the most important human rights issues of the day, including this year’s The Great Game focusing on British intervention in Afghanistan. With recent productions also examining the de Menezes Inquest and Deepcut Barracks deaths, the Tricycle Theatre is an inspirational example of how art with a social conscience need not require creative compromise. Human Rights Lawyer of the Year Award Karon Monaghan QC For her leading contribution towards a range of cases in the fields of equality, civil liberties,and human rights, including Eweida v. British Airways, HJ and HT v. Secretary of State for the Home Department and JM v. UK, and her continuing commitment to eradicate discrimination, injustice and protect essential rights and freedoms. Independent Voice of the Year Rt Hon David Davis MP For his steadfast commitment to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in the fight against terrorism. In particular for his work in holding the Government to account over allegations of collusion in torture during the war on terror and the part he played in securing a public inquiry into the treatment of detainees abroad. Also for his public, principled, and robust opposition to the unfair and ineffective control order regime. Human Rights Close to Home Award Sally Hyman For her valiant campaign with Katie Miller, Bob Miller, Patricia Ross and Tracy Hynes in support of a secondary school pupil facing forced deportation to Iraq – bringing new and much-needed attention to the shameful ordeal of child detention and bureaucratic nightmare of the asylum system for the young and vulnerable. Human Rights Campaign of the Year Award The Guardian – The Torture Files For Ian Cobain and Richard Norton-Taylor’s meticulous investigation into Britain’s complicity in the use of torture. Their campaign shone a light on this shameful chapter in British history and they continue to uncover uncomfortable truths about the UK’s role in the war on terror at home and abroad. Lifetime Achievement Award Lord Bingham of Cornhill Lord Bingham proved an inspiration to anyone – legal professional or lay person – who holds dear their hard-won rights and freedoms and believes that human rights are universal and non-negotiable. Having held office as Master of the Rolls, Lord Chief Justice and Senior Law Lord, he was Britain’s most distinguished legal mind.

Safer Sources…European Court reaffirms protection of journalistic sources

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Based on article from swradioafrica.com

The European Court of Human Rights has unanimously held that media premises are exempt from police searches, marking a major victory for press freedom across the continent. This ruling was an acid test for the Court and for media freedom across Europe, said Geoffrey Robertson QC, counsel for a coalition of intervening organizations. It sets a high benchmark for protection of journalistic materials and will force police and prosecutors across Europe, from Russia to France, to change their practices. In its decision in Sanoma v. the Netherlands, the Court reversed an earlier ruling and held that police cannot search media premises or seize journalistic materials unless they can show it is absolutely necessary in the investigation of a serious crime and have obtained a judicial warrant. In this judgment, the European Court lays down a clear marker for the protection of journalistic materials, said Peter Noorlander, legal director at the Media Legal Defence Initiative. This will force a change in law and practice across Europe, not only in countries like Russia and Romania but also in France and the Netherlands, where new legislation is now required. The Court today said in the clearest terms that all European nations must have strong laws that protect the media’s fundamental right to confidential sources in order to ensure the public’s right to know. Every country must now review their laws and ensure that these rights are fully respected. said David Banisar, Senior Legal Counsel for ARTICLE 19.