What do human rights have to do with counter-terrorism laws?
Since the events in the United States on 11 September 2001, the Australian Government has introduced more than 40 new counter-terrorism laws. Amongst other things, these laws have created: • new criminal offences • new detention and questioning powers for police and security agencies • new powers for the Attorney-General to proscribe terrorist organisations • new means of controlling people’s movement and activities. Counter-terrorism laws can have a profound impact on fundamental human rights and freedoms, including: • the right to a fair trial • the right not to be subjected to arbitrary detention • freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment • the right to freedom of expression • the right to freedom of movement • the right to privacy • the right to non-discrimination • the right to an effective remedy for a breach of human rights. These and other fundamental human rights are protected under international treaties that the Australian Government has c
