Peaceful Purpose training
a resource for environmental activists based in south australia

Legal Observers

 LEGAL OBSERVERS

What are SA Legal Observers?

SA Legal Observers (SALO) is a volunteer organisation that trains and fields Legal Observer Teams to monitor and report on the policing of protest events.

Civilian legal observers are Human Rights Defenders and under the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, have a right to fulfil their roles unhindered and without obstruction.

Why have Legal Observers?

Legal observers are independent from the protests they attend. As such they neither liaise with police or other groups about people attending the protest, nor participate in the protest in any other capacity (eg as a police liaison or marshal).

Having legal observers at a protest sends a message of solidarity with, and affirmation of, the democratic right of citizens to protest. Protesters who may feel frightened by the situation they find themselves in can feel more supported when legal observers are present.

Experience in many areas has found that having legal observers at a protest acts as a deterrence for poor behaviour on the part of police and security personnel towards protesters. Notes and records collected by legal observers can be used to provide evidence for ongoing dialogue with police about police behaviour.

What Do Legal Observers Do?

Legal observers observe, record and monitor the actions of police and private security personnel including:

  • detailing interactions between police/security personnel and members of the public

  • taking photos and/or videos of key incidents

  • making a detailed written account of any incidents

  • collecting evidence for further reports or follow-up after the event

How To Become a Legal Observer

When necessary, SALO runs Legal Observer Training workshops for people who are interested in learning the basics of legal observing, how it works, what it can be used for, and why it’s important for activists. This training is a requirement for being a legal observer with SALO; however, it’s also a great opportunity to get to know the basics of legal observing and the skills involved for use in your own organisation.

Contact us for information about future training workshops.

Requesting a LEgal Observer team

SALO will consider fielding Legal Observer Teams upon invitation, and according to our volunteer capacity. We work across diverse movements, campaigns, and protest events, and we need to prioritise our resources and capacity. When we need to choose, we tend to focus on protecting the political space of groups that are experiencing or resisting structural or systemic oppression; or are more likely to be targeted by police or state repression.

To request SA Legal Observers at your event, please submit the form below (information goes to a secure email address).

Legal Observer Resources

Protesting in South Australia:

Australian organisations training and fielding Legal Observers:

  • MALS (Melbourne Activist Legal Support)

  • LONSW (Legal Observers NSW)

  • Action Ready (Legal Information, Qld)

Declaration of Right to Protest: Australian Democracy Network