It kicked off with a panel discussion with Emily Thornberry MP, Simon Hughes MP, Dominic Grieve MP
and our very own Director of Policy Isabella Sankey. They addressed issues of
privacy (with Simon Hughes restating the death of the Snoopers’ Charter to much
applause), the long shadow cast by legal aid cuts and misinformation about the
Human Rights Act.
Next came the business. Liberty is a
membership organisation and the AGM is a chance for our members to directly
influence policy for the year ahead. This year all three motions were passed
unanimously: one reiterates our determination to fight the injustice of
blacklisting; another outlines our intention to fight to protect our proud
traditions of fair trials, equality and the rule of law; the last voices our
resolve to continue campaigning for extradition reform and fight the further
erosion of fundamental protections in this area.
After lunch we held a series of workshops in which we addressed the issue of ‘Human Rights in recession’, discussed whether speech was free online, explored issues with the military justice system and talked about the dangers of a ‘surveillance century’. These sessions were greatly enriched by guest speakers like Gus Hosein, the Executive Director of Privacy International, author and campaigner Cory Doctorow, journalist Ian Dunt and others. In a particularly moving session, Liberty clients Sharon Hardy and Khristina Swain described the terrible treatment their sister Anne Marie Ellement received while serving in the Royal Military Police, after she had complained of rape.
We were then treated to an inspiring
and hilarious discussion between our Director and Liberty member Joanna Lumley.
The actress spoke of her campaign for Ghurkha resettlement rights, describing
her encounters with politicians with much humour and self-depreciation.
She talked about the vital role of legal aid to their campaign and also
voiced her strong commitment to helping us defend our Human Rights Act.
The day was rounded off with a keynote
speech from our Director, Shami Chakrabarti. She reminded us that next year
Liberty turns 80 and that the best present any of us could give was to
galvanise those around us to join Liberty and be part of the fight to defend
our precious rights and freedoms.
We were live tweeting throughout, which proved a massive success. Highlights of the day were retweeted by hundreds, extending the brilliant atmosphere at Senate House far into the Twittersphere. If you’d like a more detailed account of what was said by whom, check out the Liberty Twitter feed here.
Thank you to all those who made the day such a brilliant and invigorating reminder of Liberty values. The energy and enthusiasm of everyone there will inspire us long into the year ahead.
