Letter to NSW Premier regarding opposition to Walk for Humanity protest
ALHR has joined with over 60 groups who have signed a letter to the NSW Premier calling for the government to facilitate the March for Humanity, a planned peaceful procession calling for for greater action by the Australian government in the face of Israel’s blockade and starvation crisis in Gaza.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a historic place of democratic community action, from the Walk for Reconciliation to World Pride.
Instead of facilitating its use in this moment of community groundswell, the NSW government is taking organisers to court. This is an important time to stand up for our democratic freedoms and for humanity and we are proud to join this call for action.
As a party to the core United Nations human rights treaties, Australia has recognised that freedom of assembly is a fundamental human right and, in consequence, NSW must protect it.
The right of peaceful assembly extends to all gatherings for peaceful purposes, wherever they take place and irregardless of whether they occur in the form of demonstrations, protests, meetings, processions, rallies, sit-ins, candle-lit vigils or even flash mobs. These assemblies are protected under article 21 of the ICCPR whether they are stationary or processions or marches.