WGAR News: NT paperless arrest laws could see more deaths in custody: CAAMA Radio interview with Jonathan Hunyor, NAAJA (North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency)

Newsletter date: 25 August 2015

Contents:

* Take Action Online: Amnesty International Australia: Stop NT's paperless arrest laws from claiming more lives

* Audio Interview: CAAMA Radio: NT paperless arrest laws could see more deaths in custody. [featuring Jonathan Hunyor, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency]

* Homepage of North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA): http://www.naaja.org.au/

* About CAAMA: http://caama.com.au/
* Support CAAMA: Why donate?: http://caama.com.au/caama/donations

* Video: Jane Bardon, ABC News, YouTube: NT Coroner recommends paperless arrest law repeal to prevent more deaths

* News Analysis: Helen Davidson, The Guardian: Northern Territory government resists call to ditch paperless arrest laws

* Bio: Helen Davidson - The Guardian Australia: http://www.theguardian.com/profile/helen-davidson

* Our Work: Amnesty International Australia: Indigenous Peoples' Rights: http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/

* WGAR Background: Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Aboriginal deaths in custody

WGAR News postings on Indymedia Australia: https://indymedia.org.au/newswire
WGAR News Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

- Take Action Online

Amnesty International Australia: Stop NT's paperless arrest laws from claiming more lives
http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/37819/
"The Northern Territory’s paperless arrest laws put adults and children at risk of arbitrary detention by police and unfairly target disadvantaged Indigenous people. If these laws are not repealed, more Indigenous people will be locked up and more unnecessary deaths in custody will follow. Email Attorney-General John Elferink calling on him to urgently repeal these laws before they cause more Indigenous deaths in custody. ... Last Friday, NT coroner Greg Cavenagh called for these laws to be repealed because they are "manifestly unfair", disproportionately targeting disadvantaged Aboriginal people. ... "

- Audio Interview

CAAMA Radio: NT paperless arrest laws could see more deaths in custody.
[featuring Jonathan Hunyor, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency]
http://caama.com.au/nt-paperless-arrest-laws-could-see-more-deaths-in-cu...
24 Aug 15: "The controversial paperless arrest law in the Northern Territory has come under fire from both the Territory coroner and the Top Ends peak Aboriginal legal Aid Service following claims that the law will contribute to more Aboriginal deaths in custody. ... giving police the power to detain people for up to four hours without charge or legal representation, ... Jonathan Hunyor the principal legal officer with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency says its no surprise that the law is having a disproportionate impact on Aboriginal people and stated although the law was not intended to be racially selective it was always going to impact heavily on Aboriginal people."

- Homepage

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)
http://www.naaja.org.au/
" ... The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) delivers high quality and culturally proficient Aboriginal legal services to the Top End of the Northern Territory. Our Vision is True Justice, Dignity and Respect for Aboriginal people. Our Mission is to deliver a range of innovative, high quality, culturally proficient legal services to Aboriginal people and the community. ... "

- About

About CAAMA:
http://caama.com.au/
"The Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) began operations in 1980 and was the first Aboriginal group to be allocated a broadcasting license. The Aboriginal people of Central Australia own CAAMA through an association regulated under the Incorporations Act , and its objectives focus on the social, cultural and economic advancement of Aboriginal peoples. ... CAAMA produces media products that engenders pride in Aboriginal culture, while informing and educating the wider community of the richness and diversity of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia."

- Support

Why donate? CAAMA
http://caama.com.au/caama/donations
http://caama.com.au/caama/donations#why-donate
"Why donate?: We are committed to creating and sustaining the Indigenous Language and Cultures of Australia, creating employment opportunities for indigenous people in radio and film and communicating information to the indigenous peoples to assist them to live a full and healthy life. Through supporting CAAMA, you can help us train indigenous radio broadcasters, musicians and other positions in the film industry such as directors, writers, and photographers. ... "

- Video

Jane Bardon, YouTube: NT Coroner recommends paperless arrest law repeal to prevent more deaths
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5oX6Q3by1U
24 Aug 15: "The Northern Territory Government should repeal its paperless arrest laws to try to prevent further Aboriginal deaths in custody, the Coroner has found. The recommendation has been made following the death of a 59-year-old Central Australian man in the Darwin watch house in May. Jane Bardon, ABC News, 14/08/15"

- News Analysis

The Guardian: Northern Territory government resists call to ditch paperless arrest laws
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/19/northern-territory...
19 Aug 15: "Coroner says Aboriginal man who died in custody, under laws allowing police to hold people for four hours without charge, should have been free ... "Typically the CLP always reverts to threatening, punitive action rather than working on real solutions," said Peris. [NT federal Labor senator Nova Peris] "The royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody recommended avoiding imprisonment wherever possible. The CLP’s paperless arrests are in complete contradiction of that, and have now resulted in the death in custody of a sick and elderly man." ... " Helen Davidson

- Bio

Helen Davidson - The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/profile/helen-davidson
"Helen Davidson is a reporter for Guardian Australia, based in Darwin. Helen worked as an online journalist for SBS World News Australia and was a news and interactive journalist for news.com.au, where she liveblogged major news events"

- Our Work - Amnesty International Australia

Indigenous Peoples' Rights - Amnesty International Australia
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/
"Amnesty International is committed to ensuring the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ is implemented locally and nationally through legislation, policies and programs. The 46 articles of this Declaration reaffirm the rights of all Indigenous peoples, and represent the standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of all First Peoples across the world.
The Declaration state the rights:
* to self determination
* to freedom from discrimination
* to maintain and enjoy distinct culture
* and to the principles of free, prior and informed consent"

- Background

WGAR Background: Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Aboriginal deaths in custody
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/24/wgar-background-justice-reinvestment...
(last updated: 18 August 2015)

- - -

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)