Location : News : Media : Jesuit Seminars

Media release
Date: 16 March 2004
Contact: Patty Fawkner SGS, Director, on (02) 9356 3888

A Fair Go in an Age of Terror:
Jesuit Seminar explores human rights and national security in wake of Madrid bombings

A Fair Go in an Age of Terror is the title of the 2004 national Jesuit Seminar series which will be held at St. Aloysius College, Milson’s Point on Tuesday 16 March at 6.30 pm.

The series, the flagship event of Uniya the Jesuit Social Justice Centre, will explore the impact of the terrorist threat on human rights and our Australian identity.

Frank Brennan SJ AO, Jesuit lawyer and prominent advocate for human rights will be principal speaker.

Fr Brennan said that in an age of terror there is an ongoing deficit in public honesty when it comes to debating our engagement in war, the limits of ASIO powers and other aspects of national security and border protection.

Fr Brennan recognises the politicians’ “difficult call” in assessing decisions to go to war but is critical of their refusal to countenance criticism from the churches, civil society and authorities like the Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty.

“There is an important democratic role for unelected citizens, including church leaders, to question government’s public rationale and private purpose, to correct the misperceptions, and to espouse rational and coherent policies that do less harm to vulnerable people and to our peace and security”, he said.

“We would all profit from a more respectful and rigorous dialogue between elected politicians and unelected community leaders, including between church and state.”

Fr Brennan will be joined by a panel consisting of academic and former diplomat Alison Broinowski, chairman of Fujitsu Neville Roach AO, and Nada Roude the co-founder of the Muslim Women's Association and former ethnic affairs adviser to the Premier. Award winning ABC broadcaster Maxine McKew will chair the evening.

Patty Fawkner SGS, the Director of Uniya, commented on the timeliness of this year's topic: "Australia has given gutsy leadership - internationally and domestically - in the area of human rights. Our nation has been founded on values such as a fair go and concern for the underdog.

"However, Australia's human rights commitment seems to have been compromised in a post-September 11 world. We play a dangerous and unnecessary game of 'either-or' when, for example, we privilege national self-interest over the right of people to seek asylum from persecution. In the wake of the Madrid bombings, Australians are challenged to foster a ‘both-and’, rather than an 'either-or' world of human rights and national security. Our Australian identity depends on it," Sr. Fawkner said.

The national Seminar tour has so far visited Adelaide and Melbourne. Brisbane is scheduled for next Tuesday, Canberra Thursday 25 March, and Western Sydney Tuesday 30 March.

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Visit Uniya's website for full details of the Seminar Series:
http://www.uniya.org

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http://www.uniya.org/news/media.html

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