FEATURE

Justice Crusader Colin Me Donald QC receives National Civil Justice Award

olin Me Donald QC was Mr Me Donald said that: Indonesian Government announced as the winner was not accorded the of this year’s Australian “Use of the death sentence diplomatic courtesy to be CLawyers Alliance national civiloften depended on the notified of the execution. justice award at the non-profit delicate political pressures Execution of migrant organisation’s national conference within countries and the workers abroad, mainly on Hamilton Island during October. existence of more than women, has led to a whole 220 poor, Indonesian public outcry about the The award recognises unsung migrant workers on death death penalty generally. heroes who, despite personal row outside risk or sacrifice, have fought to including: The Middle In terms of Australian preserve individual rights, human East, Malaysia and China citizens facing the dignity or safety. Recent past and this had raised the death penalty overseas winners include: Malcolm Fraser, issue more prominently Indonesians have the Cornelia Rau’s lawyer Claire with Indonesian citizens same burden but on a O’Connor arid David Hicks’ lawyer now questioning its use. larger scale. And this Major Michael Mori. Many ordinary Indonesian is not something that is citizens reacted adversely adequately comprehended Mr Me Donald was recognised for and were upset by the here in .” his tireless work to improve the beheading of a 54-year- rights of Indigenous people in the old Indonesian domestic Mr Me Donald QC was the subject Northern Territory and the work worker in Saudi Arabia for of an ABC Australian Story profile he did in saving Australians Scott the killing of her employer in February 2006, where he Rush and Renae Lawrence from in reported circumstances discussed concerns about the role the death penalty. where self defence was of Federal Police in involved. handing over Australian citizens Mr Me Donald, arrived at the to a country that administered the conference direct from Jakarta The maid died on the death penalty when he pointed to and , where a poor, powerless, eye-for-an-eye principle. ‘a policy blackhole’ in the AFP that young Nigerian man, Titus Ani, is This was disputed by was risking the lives of Australians in the final stages of his Supreme Indonesian Sharia law caught up in trouble overseas. Court application to have his death experts in Indonesia as the penalty sentence overturned.

2012 Advocacy Workshops - Update The Law Society will be hosting the annual Advocacy Workshop in Darwin (13-15 July) and Alice Springs (19-20 October), led by Chief Justice Riley and Rex Wild QC. These will be practical sessions with all participants expected to contribute and participate in role-playing as necessary. Participants will be mentored by senior, experienced members of the profession, with constructive commentary provided. If sufficient interest is received, the workshops may be streamed into civil and criminal sections. It is intended to include segments on making an application for injunction, criminal forfeiture proceedings, and a sentencing pleas with disputed facts. All of these will involve making submissions and, calling and cross examining witnesses. Due to past popularity of these workshops, early written expressions of interest are vital to secure a placement and are to be sent to [email protected].

28 www.lawsocietynt.asn.au