Friday, 30 April 2004
Commission mourns the death of Former President - Professor Alice Tay AM
The President, Commissioners and staff of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission are saddened to hear of the death of former President Alice Tay, who headed the Commission for five years from April 1998.
The human rights defender, academic, author and editor had a long and distinguished career in the law and continued to work on her many interests following her departure from the Commission a year ago, despite her ill health.
Her personal warmth and humanity is recalled by many who worked with her in the Commission - as was her vivacity and tenacity.
Professor Tay headed the Commission during a time of many human rights challenges within Australia. She was a staunch defender of the rule of law and under her guidance the Commission pursued crucial cases involving human rights - including court interventions regarding the MV Tampa, access to legal representation by people in detention, the rights of children and other issues.
She was also active in promoting international human rights and her tireless work for the Australia-China Human Rights Dialogue, her support of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, assistance in providing legal training in Vietnam and her support for the Indonesian Human Rights Commission Komnas Ham have been crucial.
She was highly regarded in Australia and internationally for her work and much-loved.
She will be greatly missed.
The Commission extends its condolences to her family.
John von Doussa
President
Media enquiries: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9677 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 30 April 2004.
