The government has the responsibility to make sure that the community is safe. Sometimes the government has to enforce laws that breach certain rights in order to protect the safety of the community. This essay will explore the issue of human rights in relation to Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) by examining: the history of the issue; the current law; stakeholders and their interests; positive and negative aspects of the legal situation; and recommendations for change.
In Australia there has been historic link between OMCG and crime and violence, it is this association that has led to the current VLAD laws in Queensland and other states considering harsher laws as well. Bikie gangs are targeted for drugs, the selling of stolen cars, firearms …show more content…
In an attempt to challenge or diminish the VLAD laws legislation, Kuczborski went to the high court to argue that the law prohibiting bikies from gathering in public and increasing the prison sentences, is a breach on human rights (Right of Association). In a majority decision, the court found Kuczborski had no right to challenge the law based on the case his lawyers had presented (Tom Keim, 2014). Community and general public are concerned for their own safety, as situation in the past with bikie gangs such as the Gold Coast, have citizens concerned. The VLAD law gives the police the power to enforce the new punishments on members of the OMCG, but as ‘three or more members of a criminal gang cannot be seen being together in a public place’, members of social motorcycle gangs believe that they are wrongly involved in legislation that is designed to catch criminals “as the act to catch criminals is turning innocent pub drinkers with tattoos into ‘criminals” (CLA Editorial Team, …show more content…
From the graph (in paragraph 4) it is evident that when crime rate started to increase again in 2011-2012, the VLAD law introduced in 2013 has reclaimed the decrease and is now close to being back to its lowest since 2010. For those who are non-members of OMCG that are being wrongly accused of being a part of a criminal gang, can be assisted as the Queensland police say that all you have to do is prove that you are not involved and by doing this will help the police figure out who is and isn’t involved. Another way the QLD police could solve the problem of knowing whether or not someone is connected with an OMCG; when you renew or first get you Motorcycle Licence you fill out a contract saying that you are or aren’t involved or know people who are or themselves are involved; knowing that people will lie, the penalty for lying is that you are imprisoned for a number of year and your Motorcycle Licence is taken of you and you will never be able to get your Licence back. If the police suspect that you are about to commit an offence they can scan your Licence, and when it says that you are connected in a way (know from when they fill out the form) in an act to not breach the Right of Association the police can arrest you until it is proven that you were going to commit an offence. For those who are
In Australia there has been historic link between OMCG and crime and violence, it is this association that has led to the current VLAD laws in Queensland and other states considering harsher laws as well. Bikie gangs are targeted for drugs, the selling of stolen cars, firearms …show more content…
In an attempt to challenge or diminish the VLAD laws legislation, Kuczborski went to the high court to argue that the law prohibiting bikies from gathering in public and increasing the prison sentences, is a breach on human rights (Right of Association). In a majority decision, the court found Kuczborski had no right to challenge the law based on the case his lawyers had presented (Tom Keim, 2014). Community and general public are concerned for their own safety, as situation in the past with bikie gangs such as the Gold Coast, have citizens concerned. The VLAD law gives the police the power to enforce the new punishments on members of the OMCG, but as ‘three or more members of a criminal gang cannot be seen being together in a public place’, members of social motorcycle gangs believe that they are wrongly involved in legislation that is designed to catch criminals “as the act to catch criminals is turning innocent pub drinkers with tattoos into ‘criminals” (CLA Editorial Team, …show more content…
From the graph (in paragraph 4) it is evident that when crime rate started to increase again in 2011-2012, the VLAD law introduced in 2013 has reclaimed the decrease and is now close to being back to its lowest since 2010. For those who are non-members of OMCG that are being wrongly accused of being a part of a criminal gang, can be assisted as the Queensland police say that all you have to do is prove that you are not involved and by doing this will help the police figure out who is and isn’t involved. Another way the QLD police could solve the problem of knowing whether or not someone is connected with an OMCG; when you renew or first get you Motorcycle Licence you fill out a contract saying that you are or aren’t involved or know people who are or themselves are involved; knowing that people will lie, the penalty for lying is that you are imprisoned for a number of year and your Motorcycle Licence is taken of you and you will never be able to get your Licence back. If the police suspect that you are about to commit an offence they can scan your Licence, and when it says that you are connected in a way (know from when they fill out the form) in an act to not breach the Right of Association the police can arrest you until it is proven that you were going to commit an offence. For those who are