Activist Legal News and Updates
All the latest updates from Melbourne Activist Legal Support (MALS) as well as news for activists from Victoria, Australia, and around the world.
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know your rights training
Know Your Rights before heading to Disrupt Land Forces!
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Join MALS at these Know Your Rights sessions and learn how to work to keep each other safe.
Hosted by Disrupt Land Forces, these sessions will help you understand your rights before the action begins.
NB: these are repeats of the same session, no need to attend them all!
• Wed 4 Sept
• 6pm-8pm
• online
• Sat 7 Sept
• 11am-1pm
• online
• Sun 8 Sept
• 11:30am-1pm
• in person, Docklands
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL!
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conference
Rights Advocacy Project Conference:
Lawyering for Change
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Rights Advocacy Project are proud to present their first conference, Lawyering for Change.
Celebrate the launch of RAP's latest law reform projects and hear expert panels discuss issues in RAP’s three focus areas: criminal justice reform, refugee and asylum seeker reform, and equality and government accountability.
The conference will also have a Protest Rights in Victoria panel discussion featuring members and supporters of MALS speaking about ongoing encroachments on freedom of assembly, increasing police powers, and how we can protect our right to protest.
• Sat 14 Sept
• 9am-4:30pm
• Trades Hall, Carlton
• Tickets: general admission ($50) and students ($25)
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL!
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human rights report
Global research report finds anti-protest laws stifle freedoms and human rights in Australia
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Australia's civic freedoms continue to be eroded with the introduction of anti-protest laws across the country that stifle the right to protest, according to the findings of a global human rights research organisation.
A research brief recently published by CIVICUS global civil society alliance finds that Australia's performance concerning the right to protest is inconsistent with the government's commitments to the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding protections for civic freedoms.
Drawing on research and statements from MALS, the brief also highlights Australia's failure to meet its international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
CIVICUS ' rating of the state of civic space in Australia, last downgraded in 2019, remains ‘narrowed’ due to the ongoing deterioration of freedoms and human rights.
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un resolution
UN Human Rights Council passes resolution to protect human rights during protests
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The United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a resolution calling for the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protest.
Passed at the 56th session of the HRC on 9 July 2024, and in keeping with the purpose and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the resolution calls on States to:
• ensure that everyone is able to participate in protest free from intimidation, harassment, assault, arbitrary arrest or detainment, or abusive criminal or civil proceedings;
• recognise that human rights in the context of protest also apply to counter-demonstrations;
• respect people's right to privacy when protesting;
• ensure that legislation is in line with States' obligations under international law in order to prevent restrictions on the right to protest or the criminalisation of protest; and
• ensure the safety and protection of human rights defenders at protests including legal observers, lawyers, and journalists.
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health & wellbeing
Mental health in the Palestine solidarity movement: supporting each other
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Drawing on activist and mental health theories about stress, vicarious trauma, burnout, and resilience, The Commons Social Change Library presents an essential guide on personal and group sustainability through an immensely distressing and stressful time.
Written by activists in the Palestine solidarity movement in south eastern Australia, this support guide focuses on the needs of Palestinians and their allies in the Palestine solidarity movement.
Check out The Commons Library's other activist health and wellbeing resources while you're there.
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mals membership
Get involved- become a member of MALS!
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MALS defends civil and political rights by training activists, creating and sharing resources on the right to protest in Victoria, training and fielding Legal Observers to monitor and report on police actions, and linking activists with supportive law firms and community legal centres.
Becoming a MALS member means you can contribute to shaping our campaigns, participate in planning and decision-making, and help increase our impact as we protect the right to protest!
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