Concern over new rules for World Youth Day
7 July 2008, 03:12PM
Amnesty International Australia is concerned about the temporary regulations passed by NSW Parliament which seriously inhibit the exercise of freedom of speech and peaceful protest during World Youth Day events in Sydney.
The broad nature of the offences of causing 'annoyance' or 'inconvenience' could result in people peacefully expressing an opinion or belief being subject to penalties and sets a dangerous precedent for other large scale events.
The regulations extend over a large portion of Sydney's most populous areas and include engaging in conduct which 'causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event' or 'obstructs a World Youth Day event'.
If a direction to stop such conduct given by a police officer or other authorised person (such as an SES worker) is not complied with, penalties of approximately $5000 and an on the spot fine of approximately $300 could apply.
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Comments
Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
Framton Goodman
10 July 2008, 11:42AM
This sort of thing is the “thin edge of the wedge” of censorship. Orwell’s “1984” is a pessimistic forecast, but it’s up to all of us to maintain the freedom of the individual.
James
10 July 2008, 10:00AM
It is a really concern. What exactly is an ‘annoyance’? If I wear a t-shirt of a former pope is that an annoyance? Someone would infer that I prefer a different pope and get annoyed.
Framton Goodman
9 July 2008, 05:05PM
It’s very odd (?) how these regulations were initiated just before the recent expose of Cardinal Pell’s inaction over paedophile priests.That means victims won’t be able to protest during the World Youth Day event.
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