reposted from melbourne indymedia

Political activists have been ‘undemocratically’ subjected to house searches and arrests by the Victoria Police, who so far show no sign of investigating their own members for alleged human rights abuses during the recent g20 meeting in Melbourne. According to Sian Cullen of Melbourne University, political activist, and Melbourne University Law student, Julia Dehm was arrested by plain clothed police yesterday while attending a bail hearing in support of friend and Monash University Law student Danya Bryx. The two have been arrested for allegedly attending the G20 protests that took place in Melbourne over the weekend of November 18 & 19 2006. ‘That police are targeting people for allegedly attending or being involved in a weekend long series of activities around the G20 meeting raises serious questions about the rights and freedoms of people to be able to engage in political protest in this state and country.’ said Sian Cullen of Melbourne University.

In contrast to the attention received by political activists, police appear reluctant to investigate violent crimes allegedly committed by their own members during the g20 meeting, despite the release of an independent report on the incidents several weeks ago. The Human Rights Observer Team from the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres reported their concerns on the actions of Police during the protest on 23 November. The team expressed concern on the use of excessive force during the demonstrations, including baton-charging peaceful protesters without warning and using overhead baton strikes at the Melbourne Museum (while g20 delegates were having a scenic tour). They reported that these actions were contrary to the United Nations code of conduct for law enforcement officials and Victoria Police standing orders and were ‘antithetical to the promotion and protection of human rights’. According to the team, ‘several protesters were injured with one women requiring ambulance evacuation after being struck by police batons.’ An eye-witness report from the victim (published on the Indymedia website) and independent media reports including video footage of the incident confirm the HRO team’s observations.

The team was also concerned on the arbitrary arrest and detention of Drasko Bolijevic, who was not involved in any protest activity. The HRO team was concerned that “this arrest may be indicative of others undertaken as part of ‘Taskforce Salver’, which has been established by police to investigate further charges in relation to the protest actions. …. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention. It requires that any arrest and detention is in accordance with law. Arrest or detention is unlawful where an individual is arrested or detained on grounds which are not clearly established by law or which are contrary to law. Article 9 of the ICCPR also prohibits "arbitrary" arrest and detention. Arrest and detention is arbitrary where it is disproportionate, unjust or unpredictable.” There is no mention of any investigation into these alleged abuses on the police media website – despite two articles on g20 arrests – and no reports in the corporate press. Both of the people arrested recently ‘are well known political and environmental activists who have been involved in social and political activism through university student bodies and in the wider community’ according to Ms Cullen. ‘What we are seeing at the moment is the latest in a series of police targeting people who have been involved in campaigning for social change and environmental protection in the state of Victoria and across the country. Activists who have repeatedly spoken up for what they believe in and have been leaders in peaceful protest movements in our community being taken by plain clothed police from public places and while in support of their friends who have similarly been targeted.’ said Ms Cullen

Six people have been taken from Melbourne streets and shopping centres, and have had their homes searched by plain clothed police since the G20 protest. One of the people taken into custody was not in Melbourne at the time of the G20 activities. “Such police tactics cannot be tolerated in a democratic society. “ ‘The people of Victoria and the wider Australian community need to sit up and take notice of the intimidatory tactics that are being used by the Victorian police under the banner of Taskforce Salver.’ Ms Cullen concluded. Ms Cullen recalled the words of Martin Niemoeller who said: ‘First they came for the Communists but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and Trade Unionists but I was not one of them, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jewish but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out, And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.

Sian Cullen can be contacted for more information on 0412688163. Karen Jess of the Victorian Police media liaison unit who wrote their latest article on g20 arrests was asked to comment on the observations of the HRO team before this article was uploaded this evening. She was also asked if the Victoria Police have investigated the alleged abuses. She replied that no comment could be made until tomorrow morning.