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Media Release – Protesters call for the prosecutions of Bernard Collaery and Witness K to be dropped, 29 March 2021

Rally, 9.30am, Monday 29th March, ACT Supreme Court, Knowles Pl. Canberra Cit

“The excuse of ‘national security’ is being used to claim that sessions of these cases should be held in secret.  The only real national security issue involved with this issue is the serious damage done to Australia’s relationship with Timor Leste resulting from the bugging,” said Sister Susan Connelly of the Timor Sea Justice forum, which is a supporter of the Alliance.

“These cases are an abuse of process and a travesty of justice. The CDPP must drop the charges,” said Kathryn Kelly, convenor of the Alliance.

Speakers at the rally:

Sister Susan Connelly, Timor Sea Justice forum

Alicia Payne, Federal MP for Canberra

Flavia Abdurahman, video Journalist and peace builder

On the occasion of yet another directions hearing for Witness K, supporters will express their opposition to the charges being faced by Witness K and his lawyer Bernard Collaery, over the Government’s bugging of the Timor Leste government offices.

Supporters will gather at the courts with hoods over their heads to symbolise opposition to the charges and the secrecy being used, under the guise of ‘national security’ to hide the government’s wrongdoing.

Contacts:  Kathryn Kelly, Convenor AAPP,   0417 269984

                Sister Susan Connelly,  0498 473 341

AAPP supporting organisations: Australia East Timor Friendship Association, Civil Liberties Australia, Friends of Lacluta (Vic), Humanists Australia, Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL), Josephite Justice Network, Just Peace (QLD), Lawyers for Peace, Medical Association for the Prevention of War, Timor Sea Justice (VIC), Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers, Timor Sea Justice Forum (NSW), Queensland Timor Sea Justice Group, Wage Peace, Whistleblowers Australia.      

https://www.facebook.com/Dropwhistleblowerprosecutions