Amnesty International Australia has made a submission to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety on Measures to prohibit slogans that incite hatred.
This submission highlights several human rights concerns:
- Language used in the Terms of Reference
- Opposition to bans on political speech and protest
- Concerns regarding expansion of executive powers
- International human rights obligations
- Constitutional principle of implied freedom of political communication
- Addressing hate without suppressing fundamental civil and political rights
Amnesty International Australia strongly urges the New South Wales Government not to respond to the Bondi tragedy by further suppressing protest rights or legitimate political expression.
Instead, the Government should adopt a principled, evidence-based approach to combating antisemitism, racism, hatred and violence in all its forms, one that addresses root causes, rather than curtailing fundamental freedoms.
All people have the right to live free from racism, discrimination, vilification and violence, and these rights are best protected through inclusive, rights-respecting policies, rather than unwarranted restrictions on freedom of speech that restrict the peaceful and legitimate expression of views.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.
Act now or learn more about our human rights work.
