AUSTRALIAN FOUNDING PRESIDENT: THE RT. HON. SIR PC, OM, GCMG

VICTORIAN PRESIDENT: THE HON. JUSTICE LEX LASRY

VICE-PRESIDENTS: INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS HON. JUSTICE ELIZABETH HOLLINGWORTH HON. JUDGE MARK TAFT

VICTORIAN CHAIR: -- GLENN MCGOWAN SC

VICTORIAN SECRETARY-GENERAL: MELANIE SZYDZIK

Tel: 9225 8414 MEDIA RELEASE VICTORIAN ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Fax: 9670 7086 PHILLIPA MCCORMACK [email protected] Friday 18 May 2012 TREASURER: SARA LAW www.sites.google. com/site/icjvictoria

ICJ Victoria C/- List A, 205 William Street 3000

ASIO security assessment results in sudden threat of indefinite detention

The International Commission of Jurists in Victoria (“ICJ Victoria”) is appalled at reports this morning that a Sri Lankan woman has been taken into detention without warning or any right to appeal ASIO’s adverse security assessment.

Justice Lex Lasry, President of the ICJ Victoria said this morning, “we are astounded at the concept of a woman and two children who have already been found to be genuine refugees, being placed into what appears to be indefinite detention without any curial process or reasons being given.”

He continued, “this is, in all respects, thoroughly inconsistent with the normal procedures in our community”.

For further comment, please contact his Honour on the details provided, below.

Justice Lex Lasry President, Victorian Branch International Commission of Jurists P: 9603 6666 E: [email protected]

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THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS, FOUNDED IN BERLIN IN 1952, IS AN INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, DEDICATED TO THE DEFENCE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH THE RULE OF LAW, WITH CONSULTATIVE STATUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS, UNESCO, THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY. IT HAS 82 AUTONOMOUS NATIONAL SECTIONS AND AFFILIATED LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS IN 62 COUNTRIES. ITS HEADQUARTERS ARE IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND. ITS CENTRE FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGES AND LAWYERS WAS FOUNDED IN 1978. AWARDED THE FIRST EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS PRIZE (1980), THE WATELER PEACE PRIZE (1984), THE ERASMUS PRIZE (1989) AND THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD (1993).

THE AUSTRALIAN SECTION OF THE ICJ WAS FOUNDED IN 1958 BY EMINENT JURISTS INCLUDING VICTORIANS SIR OWEN DIXON (CHIEF JUSTICE OF AUSTRALIA), EUGENE GORMAN QC, MAURICE ASHKANASY QC, RICHARD EGGLESTON QC & KEITH AICKIN QC. MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ALL LAWYERS SUBSCRIBING TO ITS TENETS.