Denying any Australian
a fair trial weakens
Australia's democracy

AUSTRALIA/CUBA: David Hicks will not receive a fair trial in Guantanamo Bay . We must demand that Foreign Minister Alexander Downer get David Hicks back here to face an Australian court:

 http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/DefendAustralianRights

The British, Spanish, French and German Governments have all refused to allow their citizens to be tried in Guantanamo Bay. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer should have the guts to stand up to the Bush Administration and do the same.

Even the Americans have removed their citizens from Guantanamo Bay and ensured they get a fair trial at home.

Three senior US military prosecutors have already quit the military commission process in Guantanamo Bay, claiming it is unfair. Anyone who commits a terrorist offence should stand trial. However that trial must not be unfair, because unfair trials weaken our democracy and the rule of law.

Last week respected former Australian High Court Judge Mary Gaudron described the military commissions as an extraordinary procedure and extraordinary process. One in which rights are put at risk, in which the truth is put at risk and it's just not good enough.

David Hicks could be facing a U.S military commission in a matter of weeks. We must act now. Sign our letter demanding that Alexander Downer get David Hicks back here to face an Australian court:

 http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/DefendAustralianRights

Please also let you friends know about this important campaign to defend Australian rights.

Thanks

Jeremy, David and the GetUp Team

 http://www.geocities.com/publik16/news2

Related:

Guantanamo Bay - a human rights scandal

Hypocrisy, an overarching war mentality and a disregard for basic human rights principles and international legal obligations continue to mark the USA's "war on terror". Serious human rights violations are the inevitable result.

The detention camp at the US Naval Base in Guantánamo Bay in Cuba has become a symbol of the US administration's refusal to put human rights and the rule of law at the heart of its response to the atrocities of 11 September 2001. Hundreds of people of around 35 different nationalities remain held in effect in a legal black hole, many without access to any court, legal counsel or family visits.

More:  http://web.amnesty.org/pages/guantanamobay-index-eng

HICKS: Not a Happy Birthday!

'It is time for the Australian Government to request David Hicks' repatriation, before it is too late,' Mrs Obeid added.

More:  http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8862

justice betrayed ......

These deficiencies are peculiar to the US Miliary Commission, as proceedings brought before International Tribunals, US, British & Australian criminal jurisdictions & Military Courts Martials ensure that the rights of a defendant to a fair trial are protected.

More:  http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8874

GetUp, Stand Up!

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!

Thanks for being there at the beginning of a new movement to build a more progressive Australia!

hoWARd man, don't tell me, Heaven is under the earth. I know you don't know, What life is really worth. It's not all that glitters is gold; 'alf the story has never been told:

So now you see the light, eh! Stand up for your rights. come on!

More:  http://www.geocities.com/publik16/archive05/GetUp.html