Human Rights Sub-Committee to hear from Australian experts on Magnitsky Act inquiry

THE International Commission of Jurists, the Law Council of Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will give evidence at public hearings for the Magnitsky Act inquiry on Monday and Wednesday of next week.

The public hearings being held by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Human Rights Sub-Committee are part of the inquiry into whether Australia should adopt laws to impose targeted sanctions on individuals who commit human rights abuses.

The Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee, said the inquiry would benefit from evidence from Australian legal experts and departmental officials.

"The Human Rights Sub-Committee has continued its work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging conditions, and to the credit of many witnesses and submitters, we have built a body of evidence to inform the Sub-Committee’s consideration of targeted sanctions," Mr Andrews said.

"These public hearings will add further evidence from Australian legal and human rights experts."

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 15 June 2020
Time: 8.30am – 10am
Witnesses: International Commission of Jurists and the Law Council of Australia
Location: Via videoconference

Date: Wednesday 17 June 2020
Time: 12 noon – 2pm
Witnesses: Human Rights Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Location: Via videoconference 

The hearings will be streamed at www.aph.gov.au/live

ends.