Prominent barrister and human rights advocate Julian Burnside AO QC will discuss Swiss laws on illegal immigrants and asylum seekers at next month’s Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF).

Following the screening of the film Special Flight, which examines the Swiss detention centre Frambois and the country’s surrounding human rights issues, Burnside will speak at a live Q&A session alongside a representative from Amnesty International and activist Najeeba Wazefadost, an African refugee.

The fifth HRAFF, of which Geoffrey Robertson QC and the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG are patrons, will kick off on 15 May with the Paul Simon documentary Under African Skies by award-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger.

“Fusing creative expression with human rights content through our program of films, art, music and forums, we hope to inform , fascinate and initiate debate,” said HRAFF director Matthew Benetti, upon launching the program.

“This year’s film program offers some incredible stories, including a president fighting for his nation’s existence and a legendary musician’s personal confrontation with his questionable past."