ICC hits out at Tony Abbott over treatment of Gillian Triggs
The appalling treatment of Human Rights Commission (HRC) president Gillian Triggs at the hands of Prime Minster Tony Abbott and Attorney General George Brandis has been well-documented over the last 24 hours.
Her HRC report, titled The Forgotten Children, found immigration detention was a “dangerous place for children” and this obviously struck a raw nerve with the government. Their attacks on her have been relentless.
Apart from the huge support for her in the social media, it appeared Ms Triggs had only a few friends.
But a new one* has emerged: the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC).
In a letter to Tony Abbott, ICC Chairperson Mabedle Lourence Mushwana raised grave concern at the persistent attacks on Triggs and the Australian Human Rights Commission. The ICC notes that “Public attacks have been made to the AHRC and Prof Triggs personally in relation to the release of the AHRC’s report entitled “The Forgotten Children: National Enquiry into Children in Immigration Detention”. Allegations that Prof Triggs was asked to resign have now also been confirmed”.
“These public attacks seek to call into question the independence of the office which Professor Triggs holds. It furthermore undermines and intimidates the statutorily granted independence that is provided to the AHRC as the country’s principal human rights body.
A national human rights institution (NHRI) such as the AHRC should not be hindered in investigating any matter of concern. In a healthy democracy, a NHRI report should be received within the spirit that the contents and recommendations contained therein are to further the adherence to international human rights norms and standards and ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.
Against this background, the Human Rights Council in September 2014 adopted a resolution on NHRIs, which was led by Australia, and which acknowledges the important role of NHRIs across national, regional and international human rights protection systems and encourages NHRIs to continue to play an active role in preventing and combating all violations and abuses of human rights.
The Human Rights Council resolution 25/27 on NHRIs specifically “recognises that NHRIs and their respective members and staff should not face any form of reprisal or intimidation, including political pressure, physical intimidation, harassment or unjustifiable budgetary limitations, as a result of activities undertaken in accordance with their respective mandates, including when taking up individual cases or when reporting on serious or systematic violations in their countries; (…)”.
The ICC Chairperson has kindly requested the Prime Minister to take note of these deep concerns and to address the matter. These concerns have also been communicated to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Al Hussein, Human Rights Council President, the United Nations Special Procedures as well as NGOs and the entire NHRI community in all regions, for their urgent consideration”.
Here is a copy of the letter to Tony Abbott:
Dear Prime Minister
Re: Recent events concerning the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs
I address this letter to you on behalf of the ICC Bureau and as Chairperson of the International Coordinating Committee of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (ICC), which is the United Nations (UN) recognised umbrella body of national human rights institutions (NHRIs). The ICC represents at an international level just over 100 NHRIs from around the globe, including 73 of which enjoy ‘A’ status at the UN.
It has been brought to my attention that in relation to the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC / Commission) report entitled “The Forgotten Children: National Enquiry into Children in Immigration Detention” (2014) there have been allegations that Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the AHRC, was asked to resign ahead of the public release of the report and that public attacks have been made against her personally. These public attacks seek to call into question the independence of the office which Professor Triggs holds and cause harm to her professional integrity. It further more undermines and intimidates the statutorily granted independence that is provided to the country’s principal human rights body.
These actions against an independent state body that is fulfilling its statutory duties to promote and protect human rights are of grave concern to the ICC. The AHRC is internationally recognised by the United Nations as Australia’s NHRI. It has been a member of the ICC since 1999 and has always enjoyed the much coveted “A” status that is granted to NHRIs following a rigorous accreditation process that is carried out by the ICC under the auspices of the OHCHR acting as Secretariat. This “A” status is only granted to NHRIs that comply fully with the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (commonly referred to as the Paris Principles) (Adopted by General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993). The Paris Principles set out the necessary guarantees of independence that are required in order for the NHRI to be regarded as truly independent.
These actions also take place against the background in which just last year, Australia was the lead sponsor of Human Rights Council resolution 25/27 on NHRIs. This Resolution “(e)ncourages NHRIs to continue to play an active role in preventing and combating all violations and abuses of human rights,” and “recognises that NHRIs and their respective members and staff should not face any form of reprisal or intimidation, including political pressure, physical intimidation, harassment or unjustifiable budgetary limitations, as a result of activities undertaken in accordance with their respective mandates, including when taking up individual cases or when reporting on serious or systematic violations in their countries;”.
Mr Prime Minister, Professor Triggs is highly respected within the international human rights community having held a distinguished career in law, including in the area of legal education. She is held in high esteem within the ICC, being one of the more active members who participates in many public events and has represented the ICC on occasion in various United Nations fora. She has also held the position of chairperson of the Commonwealth Forum for national human rights institution (CFNHR) and is greatly regarded for her leadership and human rights knowledge.
It is understandable and even to be expected that independent NHRI reports will contain information that is critical of government or unpopular, this is in order to bring attention to human rights that are being violated or areas in which human rights may be improved in a country; and particularly the human rights of those who are most vulnerable. An NHRI should not be hindered in investigating any matter of concern. In a healthy democracy a NHRI report should be received within the spirit that the contents and recommendations contained therein is to further the adherence to international human rights norms and standards and ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.
Finally and with the greatest respect, we request that you take note of our deep concerns and that you address the matter. In the interim, my office will be sharing our concerns with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with our ICC members.
Yours sincerely,
Advocate Mabedle Lourence MUSHWANA
Chairperson
CC: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
Note: Special thanks to Kaye Lee and the AIMN readers who brought this to our attention.
Like what we do at The AIMN?
You’ll like it even more knowing that your donation will help us to keep up the good fight.
Chuck in a few bucks and see just how far it goes!
Your contribution to help with the running costs of this site will be gratefully accepted.
You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969
62 comments
Login here Register here-
Glynis Howarth -
stephentardrew -
Lyle Upson. -
Florence nee Fedup -
Garth -
Florence nee Fedup -
Marilyn -
Peter F -
Kaye Lee -
Lee -
Kaye Lee -
mars08 -
Möbius Ecko -
Loz -
Lee -
Kathie -
Möbius Ecko -
DanDark -
Lee -
Lee -
Möbius Ecko -
Lee -
DanDark -
Florence nee Fedup -
Florence nee Fedup -
Douglas Evans -
Lee -
Sad sack -
Michael Taylor -
Deanna -
Geraldine -
Keith -
Keith -
Lee -
Möbius Ecko -
Kaye Lee -
Blanik -
Florence nee Fedup -
Florence nee Fedup -
Lee -
crypt0 -
AndrewL -
dwejevans -
Lee -
crypt0 -
stephentardrew -
DanDark -
guest -
DanDark -
Bighead1883 -
DanDark -
John Fraser -
Lee -
Florence nee Fedup -
Mark Cooper -
Lee -
Don -
Michael Taylor -
CMMC -
Florence nee Fedup -
Kaye Lee -
Byron Williams
Return to home pageI am so sorry the Australia Government has shown no respect for Professor Gillian Triggs doing her job.
Then trying to weasel out of it by trying to bribe her with a Government job.
I am ashamed of Mr Abbott and Mr Brandis, who I feel are guilty of a crime.
I pray that the ICC does not think all Australians are blatant liars as our Prime Minister is.
We are honest people who are highly disgusted in anything the p.m does.
I hope these horrible unfeeling politicians feel the full weight of the law.
The letter says it all.
What an appalling injustice.
Gillian Triggs is held to professional, ethical, as well as empirical social science standards and accountability, that no politician will ever have to meet yet they see it as their right to question her professional integrity and attack her well documented and proven academic record of excellence.
Just another case of science bashing by the ethically challenged.
They hate the truth; they hate facts; and the only way to deal with them is through personal vilification.
This is a blatant insult to all Australians who care about truth and justice.
The science community are the people with the expertise to save the planet from your stupidity and abject failures.
Abbott and Brandis are a disgrace.
My most humble apologies to Gillian Triggs.
I am as mad as hell.
crikey…
I do not believe this is about Triggs. It is about demolishing anything to do with Universal human rights and conventions. They show this is on the agenda when they moved Tim Wilson in. Would not be surprised, if the aim was to get rid of the lady, replacing her with Wilson.
The have written into the immigration and asylum laws that any overseas conventions we have signed carry no legal weight.
Some believe the United Nations has no role to play in Australia.
Some believe no global laws and conventions should apply to Australia.
Whatever it is about, it is clear that Abbott and Bishop both mislead the house to day by lying.
@Florence…. looks like that may have been the case re Timmy. Have you seen the following? If this happens we may as well not have a HRC.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/tim-wilson-already-promised-gillian-triggs-job,7416
I think that is the agenda they are pursuing.
The Australian governments over the years sign and ratify human rights convention and then throw them in the bin as if they have no bearing on us.
This latest attack on Professor Triggs is truly disgusting.
It has been reported that Abbott’s ‘boxing’ style was to attack with arms swinging wildly in all directions, without much technical skill. Leopards and spots come to mind, but now it is not his ‘boxing’ or ‘sporting’ reputation which is at stake, it is the whole country. As Lady Macbeth said in entirely different circumstances: ‘ Stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once.’
Someone needs to tell him immediately.
For those who didn’t see the senate committee and the disgraceful performance by Senator MacDonald as chair, I would recommend reading the transcript from Hansard which clearly exposes the sexist bullies.
When MacDonald admitted he hadn’t actually read the report on children in detention social media went off. MacDonald then issued a media release to clear things up.
“Thanks to all of those who have kindly (and not so kindly – they are the majority and are all Labor/Greens staffers, Union heavies and staff and good old Get Up and old leftie journalists) made media and social media comment on recent media reports on the Senate Estimate Committee on Professor Triggs and the partisan-ly titled report on children in detention “Forgotten Children”.
If any of those who have abused me for not reading this partisan , inaccurate report, had themselves bothered to read the facts on children in detention from any number of Estimates on Immigration – which sadly the Human Rights Commission (AHRC)itself didn’t bother to read – then they may have not been so quick to rush to social media.”
http://www.senatormacdonald.org/news2.php?newsid=197
Gee I feel so comforted knowing men like Senator MacDonald are running the country.
The LNP is doing the IPA’s dirty work yet again. The IPA has long wanted the Australia Human Rights Commission gone.
https://ipa.org.au/publications/2146/ipa-australian-human-rights-commission-should-be-abolished
MacDonald goes on to list “the facts”…..
“24 February 2015 – the day of the Estimates Committee – 126 children in detention in Australia (AHRC falsely said 328).”
Unfortunately Senator MacDonald mustn’t have been listening because Senator Brandis said…
“As of today, the total number of illegal maritime arrival children in detention in the system is 245, of whom 129 are in detention on the Australian mainland. As well as that, there are 28 children in detention in the system who are not illegal maritime arrivals. ”
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=COMMITTEES;id=committees%2Festimate%2F7e38f3fc-ccf4-4f43-b2f4-c50ef331052d%2F0002;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Festimate%2F7e38f3fc-ccf4-4f43-b2f4-c50ef331052d%2F0007%22
Does anyone else get the feeling that this government sees it’s boorish, aggressive behaviour as a badge of honour? I think they see it as a way of appealing to the redneck, misogynist bogan vote in the swing seats.
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-tsBOMUsAA2Rpo.jpg
This disgraceful incident by Abbott in parliament is doing the social media rounds, and his bullying behaviour is on full display as he deliberately blocked Shorten from getting to the lectern to speak, then Abbott is clearly seen gloating over his thuggish behaviour.
Latham was destroyed after standing over Howard during a handshake and that single incident was the end of Latham’s chances at becoming PM. This behaviour by Abbott is no less disgraceful and the media, as they did with Latham, should be going after Abbott as a bully pointing out this is just another reason why he’s not fit to be a politician of any kind let alone the leader of a party and nation.
This government must live in cloud cuckoo land. They do not seem to realise how many Australians hate this fascist government. I only hope that Professor Triggs is strong enough mentally and physically to withstand this onslaught upon her character. This awful awful government must be gone and gone soon. MacDonald is a boorish, ill-mannered oaf who should never be a representative of this government.
It’s time to parade Wedding Ring-Less Margie, the Lying Doormat to tell us once again of Tony’s goodness, grace and honesty. It’s a worry that despite his low popularity rating, there are still way too many people who think he is fit to the lead the country.
If it’s not OK to attack Professor Triggs, why is it OK to denigrate Mrs Abbott?
Abbott and Brandis are (personally) attacking Triggs on the timing of her report into children in detention, asking why it was not produced during Labor’s term when far more children were in detention. Apart from this government holding onto it for three months and only releasing it at the very last minute when they had to, it seems that Operation Sovereign Borders secrecy provisions and in the much longer term the Department of Immigration deliberately being secretive in not giving information was the reason.
Most of all though it seems that Operation Sovereign Borders got in the way.
Oh stuff it he is still the PM to day, everyday I wake up and hope the breaking news says,
Abbott gone, Abbott has fallen on his sword, The Libs change leaders, Australia has a new leader,… but no as I type this the bully and his trout mouth is on the TV 🙁
“If it’s not OK to attack Professor Triggs, why is it OK to denigrate Mrs Abbott?”
Gillian Triggs isn’t lying to us. Margie Abbott is.
At estimates, Triggs tabled a long list of actions the AHRC took when the ALP was in government. It’s quite obvious that the IPA wants the AHRC gone and this report provided them with a convenient opportunity to twist the situation to get what they want.
Kathie it’s not OK to denigrate Mrs Abbott, but you’re attempting to compare apples with pears. One is a direct attack on our democracy via a vicious orchestrated attack on the head of the AHRC, and the other is making the observation that Abbott wheels out his wife whenever his polling goes down with women or when he has attacked a woman on another front.
Not only does Abbott wheel out his wife for support but she lies to all Australians on his behalf. I paraphrase, “My husband is a good man, an honest man. He loves women. He is full of grace. No one has more grace than him.” Her actions make her as morally bankrupt as him.
Spot on Lee “Gillian Triggs isn’t lying to us. Margie Abbott is.”
Margie is no better than Abbott, two peas in a pod…..
The last time she appeared, she was treated worse that this year. I cannot see what any attack on Margie Abbott has with this topic. The wife is not in politics. Yes, she is wheeled out when he is in trouble, but that is her choice.
That report was a intended ten year review of earlier reports of children in detention. Yes it was planned. Beginning it clash with the election. It was postponed a few weeks. Nothing wrong with that.
To say the body has not been complaining about the treatment of children on a regular basis is just plain wrong.
Yes there were many more under Labor, but the time held in camps was much, much shorter.
Does one noticed, this mob have not made any defence except to keep saying there were more under Labor. I am sure the fact will be found in the report. What this mob says, no overseas or international body has the right to tell us what Australian law should be. They do not respect or believe any of the conventions we have signed over generations, such as the convention on asylum seekers hold any weight in law in this country.
In other words, they do not agree with universal charter of inherent rights of humans or that of children in general.
The attack has nothing to do with their perceived behaviour of Gillian Trigg. She has only done the job she was appointed to do.
Michael
You write that outside of social media Ms Triggs seems to have few friends. Small point but I have found no suggestion that Triggs has done anything wrong anywhere in the press I follow – Fairfax (which sees it as part of a wider attack on democratic Institutions), Guardian, ABC and Crikey (never see the Murdoch Press). Perhaps I haven’t been looking hard enough. Seems to me that this is playing disastrously for Abbott everywhere. This from today’s Fairfax papers is fairly typical.
“Australia is witnessing a political stitch-up of extraordinary proportions. Not by Professor Gillian Triggs and the Human Rights Commission, as the Prime Minister might wail and cry. No, it is clear what is going on. The Abbott government is cynically moving to de-legitimise certain institutions that perform vital roles in the democratic life of this nation.
Its attack on the president of the Human Rights Commission is designed to enfeeble the statutory institution that is vested with the important task of observing and critiquing how Australian governments and institutions abide by the international laws of human rights, laws that this nation proudly helped to formulate and which we demand other countries uphold.
It has been a brutal exhibition of Machiavellian manoeuvrings – by the Prime Minister from the floor of Parliament, by the sleazy antics of the Attorney-General in trying to force Professor Triggs’ resignation, and through the brazenly partisan conduct of Coalition senators on the legal and constitutional affairs committee. But this government’s morally bankrupt and desperately misguided effort to manipulate public opinion against the commission will prove to be an own-goal.
The unpopular Abbott government is apparently so threatened by the findings of a report into children in immigration detention – a report that delivers strong criticism of both the Coalition and its Labor predecessors – that it seeks to render impotent an independent, vocal monitor. It seeks to sow doubt about the commission’s credibility, so it strikes at the top.
The government says it has lost confidence in Professor Triggs. It claims she demonstrated political bias by initiating an inquiry into children in detention only after the Coalition came to power in late 2013. It argues the commission should have been concerned about children being locked up under the Rudd and Gillard governments, when numbers in detention soared. Attorney-General George Brandis embellishes this by saying Professor Triggs committed a “catastrophic error of judgment”. He says there was “a near-universal view” within the Coalition by Christmas that her position had become untenable, mainly because of what he called her “inconsistent and evasive” responses before the Senate committee in November.
The government’s complaints are concocted nonsense. In any other context, such slippages would be excused once clarified. This government, though, whips them into a conspiracy of mock-horror proportions then tries to induce her to quit. All the while, the commission’s report is shoved aside. Indeed, the chairman of the Senate committee, Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald, contemptuously declared he has not, and will not, read the report – an appalling abrogation of his responsibilities.
Rarely has a federal government engaged in such a vicious, politicised campaign to demolish the integrity and professionalism of a statutory officer. The Prime Minister’s enthusiastic participation in this tawdry episode greatly diminishes the standing of his office.
Senator Brandis says he wants the Human Rights Commission to focus on “projects that actually mean something to the mainstream of Australian people [and] will make a material difference to their lives”. His proposal highlights how fundamentally out of touch this government is with issues of human rights, because it is not mainstream Australians who are at risk. It is those at the margins who cannot speak for themselves, the young and disadvantaged, minorities and non-Australians (such as asylum seekers), who most need their human rights secured.
The internationally respected Human Rights Commission provides a level of protection for these people. Its vital work must be allowed to proceed unimpeded by interference or intimidation from a cynical and desperate government.”
“Senator Brandis says he wants the Human Rights Commission to focus on “projects that actually mean something to the mainstream of Australian people [and] will make a material difference to their lives”.
Would love to see a report on the impact of LNP policies on the disadvantaged in our society. Abbott and Brandis would have a stroke.
The sad point that has infected the libs reaching the stage that it has become automatic in the rabbott’s team psyche, is the fear of strong women, daring to use power, refusing to be compliant and displaying resilience. The method is to denigrate the women personally by attacking her motives, independence and capability.
However his questioning of her timing is a winner.
Sadly his moving to challenge welfare is another winner as Australians want something for nothing but can easily be persuaded to hate anyone else getting what they can’t. Welfare bludgers have the potential for re-election provided the collateral damage can be ‘minimised’.
The rabbott seems to be using the union ploy of asking for a pie in the sky and settling for a sausage roll?
Douglas, I’m glad to hear that Ms Triggs has friends in the Fairfax media. I hadn’t looked there.
Florence, is it really her choice? She is clearly partnered to a perpetrator.
Maybe I am cycnical, but could this have been a well orchestrated demonization, so the press & public would not concentrate on the Welfare Policy released 2 days later. It’s not all about Ms Triggs, it’s all about the horrific new Welfare Policy.
The issue is about abused and incarcerated asylum seeker children, not about how the polls are going for the abbot gang.
The abbott gang appear to be out of touch in relation to any shred of decency.
Florence, Gillian Triggs has done her job exceptionally well.
Where did that “government” go that stated they would not make excuses?
Of course it is a well-orchestrated demonisation. Fifty Shades of F*cktard sat on the report for three months, then criticised Triggs over the timing.
Kristina Kenneally said it well yesterday on Twitter. Abbott needs to stop at good government. Australia couldn’t cope with his great government.
Lee @ 9:35am
That is a big part of this government’s problem, the conflicting messages it often sends out, with that example you gave from Brandis being a good example. Another example was Abbott going on about protecting children through his empurpled announcement of anti-terrorism legislation for meta-data retention at the same time having children being harmed in appalling conditions within detention centres.
There are many examples of it saying one thing whilst actually doing another, but what is heartening to me is that these are no longer being taken at face value but are often being questioned and highlighted.
Could I point out that Gillian Triggs only took up her position in July 2012 and mandatory offshore detention for everyone only became policy in July 2013. They wrote several reports during 2012-13 and the urgency of action increased as the numbers of children grew. When access started being denied and information withheld they upped the review to an inquiry in December 2013 so they could then insist on getting some answers. The information in the report included the work they had been doing since Ms Triggs arrived as well as before then. They had ALWAYS been working on this report. It was formally begun within 18 months of her arrival in the job.
If we want to talk about politicising the timing of releasing reports, where is the taxation white paper from last year and where is the Intergenerational Report? Why did they sit on the Commission of Audit from January until May?
Mars08, I believe that all thinking Australians agree with your comment. Sadly, it seems to work which is beyond my thinking for which I’m glad else I’d be like them. It’s difficult to see where this government and country are heading. Also very scarey.
Deanna, it appears se chooses to stay as far away from him, as often as possible. Time will reveal the state of their marriage but it is really private matter. We have enough gutter politics, without adding to it.
She put the ring back on, last time she was paraded. I looked.
Tim Wilson, Commissioner for Freedom was not appointed for nothing. What in hell does commissioner for freedom mean. He replaced a very competent Commissioner for Disabilities. This is along term plan of Brandis and his ilk.
“There are many examples of it saying one thing whilst actually doing another, but what is heartening to me is that these are no longer being taken at face value but are often being questioned and highlighted.”
Unfortunately ME, I think these inconsistencies are only being noticed by the left. Abbott used emotion when he said that collection of metadata would help to protect children. Emotion appeals to conservatives. The lefties, who tend more towards logic, point out that most children are abused by someone they know and therefore collection of metadata will not help to keep children safe. Brandis used emotion again when he said he wanted the AHRC to focus on projects that mean something to Australians and will make a difference to our lives. Progressives know that his intention is to dismantle the AHRC so that the IPA and LNP are free to commit their human rights abuses against Australians with less people to stand in their way.
There’s plenty being said about these matters on social media. But the conservatives seem to be buying the emotional argument from what I can see and the progressives are the ones noticing the contradictions/lies. i would hope that some swinging voters are also noticing.
The Minister for Women distinguishes himself once again …
but as Lee pointed out …
“there are still way too many people who think he is fit to the lead the country.”
A bit of an insight into the character of “way too many” Australians.
Commissioner for Freedom sounds like something out of George Bush Jr’s playbook. The name can be anything but the function would be more akin to Commission for Withholding Human Rights.
Pretty obvious really, get rid of Gillian Triggs and install tim wilson in her place, then there would really be partisan bias!
“Commissioner for Freedom sounds like something out of George Bush Jr’s playbook. The name can be anything but the function would be more akin to Commission for Withholding Human Rights.”
Agreed. They’re hoping we all interpret “freedom” to mean freedom for kids in detention and freedom from terrorism. What they really mean is freedom for the IPA to do whatever they want to whomever they want whenever they want.
Email the HRC and let them know that Prof. Gillian Triggs has your total support.
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/contact-us-2#Email
Don’t know where to post this but think it is important. First empirical evidence for CO2 correlation with global warming.
May be of interest to many.
First direct observation of carbon dioxide’s increasing greenhouse effect
http://phys.org/news/2015-02-carbon-dioxide-greenhouse-effect.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=ctgr-item&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/male-australian-mps-simply-cant-handle-smart-women-20150226-13p3wu.html
Three cheers for Prof Triggs!
Three cheers for Peter Slipper!
And no doubt more revelations to come.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/view-from-the-street-has-the-spark-gone-out-of-the-liberalnational-marriage-20150226-13pm25.html
Cheers Michael,you said you would and done you did.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/human-rights-commission-president-gillian-triggs-denies-claims-she-sought-another-government-job-20150226-13q51n.html
<
"Thanks for all the messages and emails of support for @GillianTriggs and the Australian Human Rights Commission."
While the Abbott party continues destroying everything in its path.
Why aren’t the conservatives seeing the inconsistency between Abbott phoning the Indonesian president over “the human right to live” and his attacking of the human rights commissioner? I’ll bet Widodo has noticed it though.
Lee, Abbott seemed more interested in convincing us what a great friend he has in the Indonesia president, than care about the men in question. Once again, all about himself.
John, destroying all in their path, including themselves.
It is amazing how people including the ICC is missing the point. The Government and Senator Brandis believe that the integrity of the HRC is brought into question by the delaying of the investigation until after the election, which is a political decision and to have meetings with Labor ministers during a caretaker period and keep them secret! Then the red herring claim of being asked to resign. Who would be so stupid as to do this, after the investigation had been conducted, after the report was presented? Still waiting to see the records asked for by Senator MacDonald.
It is amazing how the LNP supporters choose to believe the lies of Tony Abbott and George Brandis rather than read the unbiased report for themselves. Also amazing how they ignore the lengthy list of grievances Triggs brought against the previous Labor government (more than 150 were tabled in Senate Estimates last week).
Still even more amazing is that when it is pointed out that the LNP has broken international laws, the parties and their supporters can only respond with “Labor were worse than us.” Two wrongs don’t make a right. It is heartbreaking to read the words of innocent children caught up in this abomination.
Great news a short time ago – Brandis has been censured for his treatment of Gillian Triggs, and rightly so. He is a disgrace.
Pity she didn’t mention the previous govt as the ones who started this mess when they allowed illegal immigrants to arrive by the boat load. Her position is meant to be unbiased, we have seen her true colors.
Pity you don’t know your history, Don.
Do you know how many boat loads of asylum seekers arrived under Howard’s watch before the Tampa affair? I’ll tell you. Two hundred and twenty one. The Tampa was number 222.
‘Human’ rights don’t mean anything to the Ab-BOT.
He is clearly a Terminator, and his mission is to terminate or enslave the citizens, except those needed to operate the vast coal/iron-ore quarries and to go and die in Iraq for the sake of Brian Loughnanes oil wells.
We need to find out more about Loughnane and Credlin, they have the remote-control for the Ab-BOT device.
Don, I believe the previous government was also dealt with harshly in this report. Maybe more so. These children who have been abused are still exist.
It is the responsibility of this government to ensure they are dealt with fairly. That they receive justice and necessary health support.
Like it or not, they cannot ignore what the 10 year r4eview says.
Don,
Didn’t mention the previous government?
Obviously you, along with Senator Macdonald did not read the report that was highly critical of Labor. Neither did you read my article showing Gillian Triggs trying to tell George Brandis in February 2013, 7 months before the election, about their ongoing investigation into children in detention and him telling her she should be spending more money on freedom of speech.
can’t wait till these despicable grubs are convicted hope they get some time arseholes