Today the International Commission of Jurists, Victoria announced David Burke, Legal Director with the Human Rights Law Centre, as the winner of the 2020 John Gibson Award for his work defending the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum.

The award recognises the critical role the legal profession plays in the protection of human rights and advocacy for refugees.

In response to the appalling and rapidly deteriorating medical situation in offshore detention, Burke and his team established an unprecedented pro bono coalition to take urgent legal action in the Federal Court to bring people to Australia to receive the medical care they needed. The coalition included more than 13 law firms and over 30 barristers across three states, supported by over tens of expert pro bono doctors and social workers. Every single one of these cases were successful.

Justice Lesley Taylor of the Supreme Court of Victoria who presented the award, said:

“David spearheaded the profession’s response to the medical transfers of asylum seekers from Manus Island and Nauru. He has been instrumental in… assist[ing] law firms to take on proceedings, at a moment’s notice. In this complex and demanding process, he has been able to coordinate, and engage with, a wide range of stakeholders, with skill, courtesy and great effect.  He is a worthy recipient of the John Gibson Award.”

Following the Federal court cases, the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Rights team worked with key partners to push for the Medevac legislation to ensure that people held offshore would get the medical help they needed. The legislation has since been repealed and the team continues to work hard to support the men and women in offshore detention and bring an end to this dark chapter in Australia’s history.

In accepting the award, Burke paid tribute to the many people who had stood up within the legal profession and other parts of the community to defend the basic rights of people seeking safety.

“As much as it is an honour to receive this award as an individual, it is really a recognition of the incredible collaboration that has taken place between the legal profession, medical community, social workers, campaigners and people from all walks of life in this space. Working together, we have shown that we can be a force for change.”

“This collaboration is more important than ever. There are still more than 400 women and men who are in their seventh year in offshore detention. Our Government has repeatedly shown that it is willing to prioritise political point scoring over the wellbeing of people who came to Australia seeking safety. So what I ask of everyone in the legal community is to continue to stand up, to give your time, your voice, to push for an end to this dark chapter in Australia’s history,” said Burke.

About the John Gibson Award
The John Gibson Award is awarded in honour of the late John Gibson. John was a scholar, barrister and an outstanding and tireless human rights and refugee advocate. He was respected both in Australia and internationally for his knowledge of refugee law, his advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers, and his leadership of Australia’s refugee sector. Each year the award is given to an individual who has advanced and promoted refugee issues in the public domain.