An extremely significant decision by the UN Human Rights Committee was handed down in March 2014.
In 1996, 21-year-old Corinna Horvath was assaulted by police during an unlawful raid on her home. Her nose was broken and she was hospitalised for 5 days. Despite her case reaching the High Court of Australia, Ms Horvath has still not received the compensation awarded to her. None of the police involved has been disciplined or prosecuted for what the Court found to be trespass, assault, unlawful arrest and false imprisonment.
The Human Rights Committee’s decision on Horvath v Australia obliges the Australian Government to ensure victims of police assault are adequately compensated and have their complaint heard independently.
In a damning decision, the United Nations Human Rights Committee has found that remedying police violence requires Victoria to take steps it has shirked up to this point.
You may have seen the ABC 7.30 story about Corinna.
Or you may have read about it in The Age.
Now, we need your help to make sure the Attorney-General, George Brandis, and the Victorian Premier, Denis Napthine knows what to do about it.
Please visit our friends at Remedy Australia and take action now.
A call for police accountability
The UN’s decision requires that the State of Victoria amend its legislation to ensure that the State is liable to compensate the victims of police brutality.
More information about the UN decision is available here.
Send a letter to the Attorney-General George Brandis and Premier Napthine: here>
