Targeted killings under microscope
The Castan Centre is a non-profit, non-partisan centre, focusing on the study of human rights law globally, regionally and in Australia.
The former lawyer of Australian Guantanamo detainee David Hicks will be discussing the rise in targeted killings at an upcoming human rights gala dinner.
Monash University’s Castan Centre for Human Rights Law will be hosting Michael ‘Dan’ Mori as the keynote speaker at its biennial gala dinner later this month.
Director of the Castan Centre, Professor Sarah Joseph, from the Monash Faculty of Law, said Mori was best known in Australia as the US Marines lawyer who worked to get David Hicks out of Guantanamo Bay.
“He is an expert in the law of armed conflict and human rights law and we are very excited to have him speak at our dinner,” Professor Joseph said.
“Mori will be discussing the phenomenon of targeted killings, which have become distressingly common – for example with drone strikes by the US in Pakistan and other countries – despite having a very fragile basis in international law.”
Mori recently moved to Melbourne with his family and currently practises with Shine Lawyers in Melbourne.
The Castan Centre Dinner unites participants from across Australia in a celebration of the country’s growing human rights community.
It also serves as a major fundraising event for the Centre’s many policy, public education and research programs, which range from work with local organisations to international collaborations with key groups such as the United Nations and Oxfam.
“The Castan Centre is a key part of the human rights community both locally and internationally. This dinner is a great opportunity for the Melbourne human rights sector – including lawyers, government representatives, NGOs, students and academics – to get together,” Professor Joseph said.
“The Centre held its 10th anniversary dinner with 350 attendees in 2010. We are hopeful of replicating and even improving upon the magnificent atmosphere at that earlier event.”
The 2012 Castan Centre Dinner will be held from 7-11pm on Thursday, 25 October 2012 at Carousel, 22 Aughtie Drive, Albert Park Lake, VIC 3205.
All RSVPs are required by Friday, 12 October. For more information on tickets and prices, visit the Faculty of Law website.