Kay's human rights advocacy with the US Centre for Public Policy Analysis represented prominent human rights issues to US Congressional forums alongside Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), Rep. Mark Green (R-WI), Rep. Dam Smith (D-WA) and US Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) to successfully advocate the release of 58 political prisoners in Laos.
Dr Kay Danes, OAM
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE
CLIC - Community Lao Inquiry Committee was launched at Parliament House, Canberra, on 19 November 2024, by the Australian South East Asian Network - ASEAN, appointing Dr Kay Danes, OAM and other seven Community advocates as members to consider launching an inquiry into Australia's social cohesion impacted by influences and interferences of foreign networks.
I participated in the ASEAN National Initiative for Democracy and Australian Values at Parliament House, Canberra on November 19, 2024. Thanks to Mr. Sawathey Ek OAM (Founder ASEAN Network) and Mr. Bountham Vongsaya (President, Lao Community Advancement Co-operative Ltd) for leading the ASEAN diaspora.
Diaspora communities connect cultures and contribute to both their new and original countries, enriching society while preserving heritage.
I addressed the House on First Nations Peoples, Australian Values, Foreign Interference, Human Rights, and Democracy.
My keynote covered wrongful detention, human rights violations, and foreign interference, highlighting risks to Australians and foreign nationals in countries claiming to uphold International Law.
Through submissions to Government departments, I work with the ASEAN Network and Lao Community Advancement Co-operative to protect Australians and strengthen ASEAN connections.
This builds on my August 2024 Senate Committee submission about Australians detained overseas. Working with the Australian Wrongful and Arbitrary Alliance (AWADA) and Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, we're developing better policies for managing these cases.
Australian South East Asian Network (ASEAN)
Dr Kay Danes, OAM serves on the Community Lao Inquiry Committee and Australian South East Asian Network (ASEAN), founded by Mr Sawathey Ek, OAM, to promote intercultural dialogue.
ASEAN works to maintain social cohesion by promoting Australian values and fostering dialogue between cultures and faiths.
LINKS
With Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP Assistant Minister for Australian Immigration
Advocating for Transparency of Foreign Aid to Lao PDR Judiciary
(02 Dec 2024)
Dr. Kay Danes has appealed to the Australian Government for accountability of foreign aid to the Lao PDR Judiciary, in relation to recent deaths of Australian teenagers in a Mass Methanol Poisoning incident.
Extract from a letter to sent to the Australian Government:
...
Following the deaths of several foreign nationals in Laos from methanol poisoning in Laos, including two Australian teenagers, our community wishes to express our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families of these victims—this is an absolutely devastating tragedy.
Based on past experiences, we are concerned that police investigations will face significant challenges due to the country's opaque and bureaucratic justice system, particularly in a regime led by corrupt and violent leaders.
Therefore, we request information about what accountability measures are in place for Lao PDR regarding Australian foreign aid provided to improve their legal justice system.
We are deeply troubled by reports of Laotian citizens being arrested without charge and the lack of transparency in these cases. These concerns are heightened by the Lao PDR authorities' documented history of using torture during police interrogations.
We ask whether the Australian Government and Opposition will engage with the Lao PDR Government to convey our community's expectations: that the decades of aid provided should result in lawful processes aligned with both Laotian law and the international human rights instruments to which Lao PDR is a signatory.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Kay Danes, OAM
Human Rights Advocate
Member of the Community Lao Inquiry Committee (CLIC)
PO Box 391 Capalaba QLD 4157 Australia
Website: www.kaydanes.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaydanes/
LAO PDR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
21 August 2024
Dr. Danes contributed to an Australian Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee Inquiry. Her recommendations contributed to policy-making on important issues affecting vulnerable populations in Australian society.
Personal Submission:
Dr Kay Danes OAM submission to the Australian Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee 21 AUG 24. This submission file also contains details of 'The Danes Case Study' (Download)
Individual Testimony at Tele Conference (LINK) Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee Inquiry: The testimony of Dr Kay Danes, OAM. (NB: Some technical difficulties at the start of the testimony but are rectified at 2:35 mins)
Dr. Danes is a member of the Australian Wrongful and Arbitrary Detention Alliance (AWADA).