John Woolley Building
University of Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales
6 July, 2013  10:00am – 5:00pm

The Biak Citizens Tribunal generally followed the format of a Coronial Inquest, which is a formal inquiry into a death.  This inquiry looked and acted much like a court.  Counsel Assisting performed a role much like the prosecution, while the Other Interested Parties acted much like defense attorneys–critically evaluating evidence.

 

PRESIDING JURISTS

Hon John Dowd, President International Commission of Jurists, Australia.  Chancellor of Southern Cross University

Dr Keith Suter, Chair, International Commission of Jurists (NSW).  Director of Studies, International Law Association (Australian Branch).

 

COUNSEL ASSISTING

Gustav Kawer, a West Papuan human rights lawyer who has worked for the Papua Legal Aid Foundation since 2000.  Recipient of the 2013 Lawyers for Lawyers Award in Amsterdam.

Prof Nicholas Richard Cowdery, Visiting Professorial Fellow at UNSW.  Former Director of the Public Prosecutions for New South Wales and President of the International Association of Prosecutors.

 

OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

Graham Turnbull SC, a New South Wales Barrister.  Famed for defending high profile cases, like Hugo Jacobs, a man accused of a gangland slaying, and Jai Abberton the professional surfer with the renowned Bra Boys.  He was called to the Bar by Grays Inn in London after working for legal aid in New South Wales.  He has been involved in terrorist cases, extradition prosecuting, and cases involving incitement to racial hatred.

Dan O’Gorman SC, a Brisbane Barrister who was appointed Senior Counsel in 2006.  He has represented numerous high profile defendants in criminal trial as well as indigenous people in prominent human rights and civil cases.  His defense of serial rapist Robert John Fardon was widely reported in the press.  He has conducted advocacy training for barristers in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, and the Solomon Islands.

 

HOSTS

The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS) at the University of Sydney will be the official host of this event. The witnesses will be present in Sydney for three days before the event and available for interviews. The Citizens Tribunal will be held on Saturday, July 6th, followed by a memorial ceremony with music on July 7th.

For more information contact members of the Tribunal Coordinating Committee – biak.tribunal@gmail.com

  • Dr. Peter King
  • Dr. Camellia Webb-Gannon
  • Dr. James Elmslie
  • Budi Hernawan
  • Frederika Korain
  • Dr. Jason MacLeod
  • Dr. Eben Kirksey