Laywers to video police during APEC protests

A group of 30 lawyers and law students have established a group to film police behaviour during protests against the September Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to ensure that the police do not use unnecessary violence or break the law.

Video evidence was central to civil actions against the police after protests at the September 2000 World Economic Forum in Melbourne, where protesters were awarded a substantial payment for assault claims.

Dale Mills, coordinator of the new group, Human Rights Monitors, said on August 15 that they would "have undercover volunteers collecting eyewitness, photo and camera evidence of any misbehavior or illegal activity by the police during the APEC summit, as well as providing details of solicitors providing pro bono support."

From GLW issue 721