AMCRAN

In February 2009, AMCRAN made its submission to the AHRC Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century Project. The inquiry sought submissions from faith communities and other civil society organisations to record their concerns and proposed solutions to build a more socially cohesive and harmonious society that protects and promotes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Policital Rights.

Executive Summary 

In the years following September 11 2001, the ‘war on terror’ has led to increased powers for law enforcement and security bodies, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). The powers given to these organisations have resulted in the Muslim community being disproportionately affected by the laws – though not exclusively so. To identify and analyse what the Muslim community have felt and observed as a result of the extended anti-terror laws, AMCRAN conducted a survey on the Muslim community’s perceptions of and contact with ASIO, the AFP and State anti-terror authorities. The survey covered two main issues - actual encounters with authorities and perceptions of the anti-terror laws and policing. The survey consisted of a sample of 146 respondents from Sydney’s Southwest suburbs, including Lakemba, Bankstown and Punchbowl.

In November 2007, Justice Adams of the NSW Supreme Court criticised the conduct of certain ASIO officers in the case of Izhar Ul-Haque. The events in question related to a search executed at the Ul Haque residence, and the interrogation of Izhar Ul Haque under the colour of a search and entry warrant in November 2003.

On 13 March 2008 the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP announced the appointment of the Hon. John Clarke QC to conduct an inquiry into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef.

The Inquiry is to examine and report on a number of matters, including the arrest, detention, charging, prosecution and release of Dr Haneef,the cancellation of his visa, the administrative and operational procedures and arrangements of the Commonwealth and its agencies relevant to these matters, and any deficiencies in the relevant laws. 

The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Terrorist Material) Bill 2007 (‘the Bill') was referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee on 21 June 2007 for inquiry and report.

When the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2005 was introduced last year, one of the arguments against its introduction was that there was no evidence that the existing anti-terror laws were inadequate in some way to prevent terrorism, and that the existing laws had not even actually been reviewed for their effectiveness. This review was required by law to occur as soon as possible after July 2005.

On 12 October 2005, the Security Legislation Review Committee was finally set up to review the existing anti-terror laws.

At the end of 2005, the Government introduced amendments to the anachronistic sedition laws amidst outrage from journalists, civil libertarians, and academics. They promised a formal review of the sedition laws.