[Greens-Media] Government must ensure Australian brothers trapped in Saudi Arabia get full support – Greens

[Torre, Giovanni (Sen S. Ludlam)]

Government must ensure Australian brothers trapped in Saudi Arabia get full support – Greens
Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam. 1 May 2013.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam has urged Foreign Minister Bob Carr to take all measures necessary to ensure two Western Australians in Saudi Arabia – one in prison and one in hiding – receive full diplomatic support.

“Saudi Arabia is not renowned for due process, rule of law or fair treatment of suspects.  It is essential that the Federal Government makes the maximum effort to protect the human rights of Junaid and Shayden Thorne.

“Shayden Thorne has been held for more than one year without trial.  That is an outrageous abuse of his rights.

“I understand that Shayden Thorne is in prison facing allegations of terrorism while his younger brother Junaid is in hiding, having previously been detained for taking part in a protest against the Saudi government’s treatment of political prisoners.  It is believed Junaid Thorne has no Australian passport and fears he will be arrested if he attempts to leave the country.

“It has been alleged that Shayden Thorne was tortured.  The Australian Government must investigate these claims as vigorously as possible.

“It is essential that Foreign Minister Carr does all he can to ensure the fair treatment of these two Australians.”

Contact:  Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302