[Greens-Media] Labor backs down on support for Hicks and Habib

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

02.12.04

Labor backs down on support for Hicks and Habib 


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle expressed disappointment today at the
refusal of the Labor Party to support a Greens call for the return of
Guantanemo Bay detainees David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib to Australia to
face Australian standards of justice.

"Last August the Labor Party supported a Greens motion that called for
the return of Hicks and Habib to Australia but today refused to repeat
this call," Senator Nettle said.

"This appears to indicate a post election rethink in regards to issues
of human rights but we are concerned. 

"I shall be writing to Mark Latham to ascertain the Oppositions position
on this important matter and hope that their support for the rights of
Mr Hick and Mr Habib will be reaffirmed.

"It's obvious that Mr Habib and Mr Hicks have no chance of getting a
fair trial at Guantanemo Bay. The government should be arranging for
their return to Australia just as the UK has arranged for its citizens
to be returned to Britain.

"Today's refusal by the ALP to back The Greens motion seemingly
indicates a bipartisan willingness to walk away from Australian citizens
unlawfully detained and reportedly mistreated by a foreign power."

Todays Motion which was not supported by the ALP

*37	Senators Nettle and Brown: To move-That the Senate-
		(a)	notes the report of the International Red Cross
into the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, and the report's conclusion that interrogation techniques amounted
to torture;
		(b)	expresses concern that such techniques, which
contravene international standards, may have been used
on Australian prisoners, David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib, who are being
held at Guantanamo Bay; and
		(c)	calls on the Government to act immediately to
return David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib to Australia.

Clause passed with ALP support 14/08/2003

		(iii) to take immediate action to secure the release and
return of Mr Hicks and Mr Habib to Australia to
face the allegations against them according to Australian standards of
justice.

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146