InBrief

A shortage of organ donors worldwide is undeniable and travelling overseas for a transplant is on the rise. The medical and legal implications of sourcing organs overseas are significant, and often result in breaches of fundamental human rights.For at least two decades, the government of China has been accused of forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, principally Falun Gong practitioners and Uyghur Muslims – killing the victim in the process. In June 2019 the China Tribunal, an independent people’s tribunal chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, concluded that forced organ harvesting in China has been committed for years on a significant scale and continues today. The Tribunal also found, beyond reasonable doubt, that China has committed crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs and Falun Gong.

In China a prolific organ transplant trade is flourishing, leading unquestionably to what can be called one of humanity's greatest tragedies. For Australians and businesses, this raises serious issues of human rights and concerns for complicity in crimes against humanity.

A panel of experts will discuss the business and human rights implications of forced organ harvesting, medical ethics, modern slavery obligations for Australian businesses, the United Nations’ human rights treaties and mechanisms, and Australia’s responsibility to protect and promote human rights. Click here to book.