Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Nominate now for the law category in the 2010 Australian Human Rights Awards
Nominations are now being called for the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2010 Human Rights Medals and Awards which recognise and reward efforts to protect human rights in Australia.
Commission President, Catherine Branson QC, has called on lawyers, or those working with them, to nominate for the prestigious Law Award.
“For one day of the year, the annual Human Rights Medals and Awards shines the spotlight on the efforts people are making on a daily basis to strengthen Australia’s human rights culture,” President Branson said.
“These efforts impact on us all and ultimately contribute in some way to making Australia a safer and more inclusive society.
“Whether it be by actively working to reduce discrimination in workplaces or communities, supporting individuals or organisations to protect their rights, or whether it is by influencing law and policy to provide a fairer Australia for us all, human rights heroes are everywhere,” Ms Branson said.
The Law Award is sponsored by the Law Council of Australia and is awarded to an individual or an organisation with a proven track record in the promotion and advancement of human rights in Australia through the practice of law.
Previous winners of the Law Award have included Gregory McIntyre SC (2009), Bill Mitchell, principal solicitor of Townsville Community Legal Centre (2008), Redfern Legal Centre (2007) and Peter Siedel (2006).
Nominations are also being called for the Human Rights Medal and Young People’s Human Rights Medal and award categories including Community (Organisation), Community (Individual), Literature (non-fiction), Print Media, Television and Radio.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has a web-section containing all the information about the 2010 Human Rights Medals and Awards, including Award categories, how to enter, judging criteria, previous winners and how to buy a ticket to the awards ceremony.
Nominations close at 5pm on Monday, 4 October, 2010. Winners will be presented with their Medals and Awards at a ceremony to be held on Human Rights Day, Friday, 10 December 2010 at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney.
Nomination forms/ information: www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards or Ph: 02 9284 9618 or hrawards@humanrights.gov.au.
Tickets to awards: Ph: 02 9284 9618 or hrawards@humanrights.gov.au ($80 or $50 concession includes two course luncheon, drinks and entertainment.)
Mailing list for updates: Subscribe at www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/index.html
Media contact: Louise McDermott 02 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
