A
group of local residents is bringing a conversation about Australia’s obligations under international law to Chatswood – and they’re hoping it will resonate far beyond the room.
On Thursday 11 June, the Association for the Promotion of International Law, co-hosted by Amnesty International Australia and the ANU Law School, presents Australia, International Law and Armed Conflict – What Are Our Obligations? The event takes place in the Main Auditorium of the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood, from 6:30 pm, with drinks and nibbles from 5:45 pm in the foyer. A light supper with the speakers follows the lecture.
The evening features two speakers of exceptional standing. Adjunct Professor Chris Sidoti is one of Australia’s foremost human rights legal experts, having served as Australian Human Rights Commissioner and Law Reform Commissioner, and as founding Director of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. He currently serves as a Commissioner on the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. Professor Emily Crawford of Sydney Law School is a globally recognised specialist in international humanitarian and criminal law, and recipient of the 2023 Max Planck-Cambridge Prize for International Law.
The evening will be chaired by Rawan Arraf, an international human rights lawyer who founded the Australian Centre for International Justice.
The event is brought to the local community by a group of Bradfield electorate residents — local community members largely in their fifties, sixties, seventies and beyond, some from the Jewish community, and all longstanding advocates for social justice.
“We have all been lifelong advocates for social justice,” says local volunteer Jacqueline Moldovan, who volunteered in the 2022 campaign for the local Federal MP Nicolette Boele elected in 2025. “We are disappointed with how our federal MP is not representing our viewpoint and values on this very serious issue, so we thought we would partner with the Association for the Promotion of International Law to have this issue aired in our local community.”
Fellow organiser Howard Gwatkin, who volunteered in Boele’s campaigns in 2022 and 2025, is direct about the group’s motivations. “I despair at what I see going on in the world, and at what I see as lack of action by our Government and our politicians. But I can’t stand by and do nothing. I have to do what I can – and helping put on this event is something I can do. I want people to recognise the importance of international law, and not simply roll their eyes and throw their hands in the air and say ‘but what can I do?’ Without international law, we’re staring into the abyss.” Natasha Lewis echoes that sentiment: “I am tormented by the questions of ‘What should we do?’ and ‘What can we do?’ But they can’t be answered by politicians and media, or even our communities, with entrenched biases and vested interests.”
Emeritus Professor Jan Mason from the University of Western Sydney sees an event such as this as key. “My whole professional career since the 1960s has been focused on social justice. I’m appalled at the mess that is being imposed on our world as a result of armed conflicts with complete disregard for international law. Individual awareness and thoughtful, strategic action is required. Information from experts is of central importance. ”
The speakers will address the real legal choices facing Australian parliamentarians today — from arms exports and sanctions to humanitarian aid and the recognition of states. Any surplus funds from the lecture series will be donated equally to Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights.
Event Details:
- Venue: Main Auditorium, Zenith Theatre, Cnr McIntosh St & Railway St, Chatswood.
- Date: Thursday 11 June
- Time: Drinks from 5:45 pm, lecture 6:30–9:30 pm.
The event is organised by the Association for the Promotion of International Law and sponsored by Amnesty International and the Australian National University Law School.
