Human Rights Lawyer George Newhouse Commended by the International Bar Association

During its recent annual conference in Mexico City, the International Bar Association presented its 2024 Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights to Iranian Canadian lawyer Sam Sasan Shoamanesh, the former Chef de Cabinet to the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court.

The IBA explained that Shoamanesh received the award on 19 September, due to his “extraordinary dedication to defending human rights and cultivating the international rule of law for over two decades”, and in particular during his time at the ICC, which saw him hold the position of Chef de Cabinet to the Prosecutor from 2013 through to 2021.

In outlining the excellent calibre of all the lawyers who were up for the same award, the judging panel then singled out one of those legal professionals for special mention.

The judges said, we’ve “also decided to warmly commend Mr George Newhouse for his leadership, especially in relation to the advancement of the human rights of Australia’s First Nations people”.

And while this special commendation from “the global voice of the legal profession” is outstanding recognition, it’s not too surprising its coming Newhouse’s way, as the National Justice Project director has been providing legal representation to First Nations individuals, groups and causes for the last 20-odd years, and his rights work has extended to other marginalised groups, in particular refugees.

First Nations justice

Newhouse has long been known for his legal work in relation to Aboriginal deaths in custody and cases of police brutality towards First Nations people. A key campaign that he not only provided legal representation to in this regard, but further lent individual support for, was the case of Dunghutti man David Dungay Junior, who was killed by specialist prison guards in Long Bay Gaol in late 2015.

The Sydney-based lawyer provided the Dungay family with legal representation during a drawn out coronial process that provided inadequate answers and a shallow apology from Corrective Services NSW. But beyond the inquest, George also provided support in terms of campaigning for a further official inquiry into David’s death, as well as elevating the case to the international arena.

Newhouse acted on behalf of the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee of WA during the 2016 inquest into the death in custody of Yamatji woman Ms Dhu, who died due to the neglect of WA police officers, and he also provided assistance to the family of Wiradjuri, Kookatha and Wirangu man Wayne “Fella” Morrison, who died in custody at South Australia’s Yatala Prison in 2016.

The lawyer further advocates for First Nations justice at forums whether that be from calling out the habit of Corrective Services NSW in deeming deaths in custody as involving “no suspicious circumstances” within hours of such an incident occurring at NSW parliament, or highlighting the prejudice in policing systems at the Missing and Murdered First Nations Women inquiry.

And George does take his engagement on social justice matters a step further than many other legal eagles, which was evidenced last year at the relaunch of the Copwatch app at Sydney’s South West Multicultural and Community Centre.

Copwatch is an app the National Justice Project developed with a particular focus on distributing to First Nations kids to allow them to film police if they’re being harassed by them and it also provides these children who are regularly targeted to send a text at the push of a button that informs preloaded friends or family members that they’re having a difficult interaction with adult officers.

Social justice lawyer

During his time in practice, Newhouse has also specialised in defamation, finance and planning law. And it was after a decade of providing representation in social justice cases, including a range of refugee trials, that the lawyer established the National Justice Project on Gadigal land in Sydney, with co-founders Dan Mori and Duncan Fine.

The NJP provides strategic legal action for its clients, who’ve often suffered lifelong systemic discrimination in places like prisons, out-of-home care, police stations or hospitals. Just a few more of its cases include that of Baby Charlie Mullaley, which resulted in historical pardons and the finding of medical neglect in the case relating to the death of Kamilaroi Dunghutti man Dougie Hampson.

Another recent case that Sydney Criminal Lawyers had been following was the death of Taree man Todd McKenzie, who was shot by specialist police three times in his home, despite being known to have mental health issues and to be in crisis at the time his house was stormed by NSW police.

A driver of change

The International Bar Association judging panel gave Newhouse special mention right before it presented Shoamanesh with the award, as it was outlining that there was a long lineup of impressive candidates for this year’s human rights award.

“Congratulations to my amazing boss for this commendation from the IBA,” said National Justice Project chief operating officer Naomi Lai.

“George works tirelessly and always with an edge of innovation to think outside the traditional box,” she continued. “He is an inspiring leader, and I truly love working with him to drive positive social change.”