[Greens-Media] Greens reject NSW Terrorism Courts

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
21 March 2005

"Today's trial of Mr Mallah for terrorism offences in the Supreme
Court shows there is no need to establish a new line of terrorism courts
in New South Wales", Greens MP and justice spokesperson; Lee Rhiannon
said today. 

"The Greens will oppose any attempts by the Premier to establish NSW
terror courts as they are an assault on basic human rights.

"In the wake of reports that the Federal Attorney General is
considering introducing a new court system to prosecute terror charges,
Bob Carr must rule out introducing such a scheme in New South Wales. 

"Terror courts reduce the legal rights of accused people and for that
reason they must be opposed. 

"By having a lower standard of proof, evidence heard in secret and
the vetting of lawyers, terror courts dramatically increase the risk of
miscarriages of justice that incarcerate innocent people. 

"Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib show the powers of the state need to
be restricted, not expanded.

"Bob Carr must rule out this diabolical idea today." Lee Rhiannon
said

More information:  Kristian Bolwell  9230 3551, 0411638320