Free David Hicks

[Yorick]

Bono's shouting about it:
http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=4437
Free David Hicks, Demands Bono

Sydney Morning Herald, November 08, 2006


Irish rockers U2 have used the opening concert of their Australian tour to campaign for terrorist suspect David Hicks to be released from Guantanamo Bay.

The Irish super group's frontman, Bono, raised the Hicks case during last night's concert at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane.

Bono, during the U2 classic "Sunday Bloody Sunday," said Hicks should be released from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, where he has been since 2001. "We call for David Hicks to be brought back to Australia," he said.

The Irish rock star may have the opportunity to discuss the matter with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

He has already said he wants to talk to Mr. Howard about boosting Australia's aid to poor countries.

He said wealthy countries should donate more of their GDP (gross domestic product) to help combat global poverty, particularly in Africa.

Mr. Howard said while there had been no approach to his office for a meeting, he would be happy to accommodate the rocker.

Hicks, an Adelaide-born Muslim convert, has been detained at Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba since he was captured with Taliban forces in Afghanistan five years ago, but is yet to face trial.


© Sydney Morning Herald, 2006.

[Sever]

Why stop at one Australian? Does it really matter what nationality a person is when their basic human rights are being denied? There are hundreds of similar cases happening in Guantanamo and many thousands more happening across the globe. Why do we suddenly get all upright when it's an Australian? The Abstract War is affecting many more.

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Sever: Why stop at one Australian? Does it really matter what nationality a person is when their basic human rights are being denied? There are hundreds of similar cases happening in Guantanamo and many thousands more happening across the globe. Why do we suddenly get all upright when it's an Australian? The Abstract War is affecting many more.

Because we (Australians) should be at least able to do something for our citizen first if we are to have a hope of being able to do anything for others.

[Sever]

Originally posted by Yorick: quote: Originally posted by Sever: Why stop at one Australian? Does it really matter what nationality a person is when their basic human rights are being denied? There are hundreds of similar cases happening in Guantanamo and many thousands more happening across the globe. Why do we suddenly get all upright when it's an Australian? The Abstract War is affecting many more.

Because we (Australians) should be at least able to do something for our citizen first if we are to have a hope of being able to do anything for others. [/QUOTE]Makes sense.

For what it's worth, i'm all for having his judicial process sped up be the outcome in his favour or against. I don't know what the policy of spent terms is in the make-it-up-as-you-go book of law, but the way i see it, unless he's deep in league with that Osama bloke, he's already done his time.

[Albromor]

This should be in the political forums. Period.

[Yorick]

When is the political forums period?

[Micah Foehammer]

Originally posted by Yorick: quote: Originally posted by Sever: Why stop at one Australian? Does it really matter what nationality a person is when their basic human rights are being denied? There are hundreds of similar cases happening in Guantanamo and many thousands more happening across the globe. Why do we suddenly get all upright when it's an Australian? The Abstract War is affecting many more.

Because we (Australians) should be at least able to do something for our citizen first if we are to have a hope of being able to do anything for others. [/QUOTE]Consider writing to your own prime minister then:


http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/forumy/20...s-military.php

With Hicks’ de facto POW status now effectively confirmed there is the potential for the Howard Government to request his transfer to Australia. As both a party to the Geneva Convention and also the Afghan conflict, there is nothing under international law which would bar such a transfer.

For the time being, the Howard Government persists in its support of the revamped US military commission process. But can it legitimately continue its unquestioning support of the US when its previous legal advice has been shown up by the Supreme Court as wrong and when there are possible flaws with the new Act? Australia’s support for the US position in its campaign against international terrorism is understandable in political terms – it must not be forgotten that Prime Minister Howard was in Washington on 11 September 2001 and that Australians have borne the brunt of terrorist attacks in Bali. The ANZUS Security Treaty has also provided a framework for Australia’s close military and security cooperation with the US since 2001. However, Australia needs to maintain a balanced approach between support for one of its closest allies and protection of one of its citizens.

One way forward would be for the Howard government and the Hicks legal team to jointly seek independent legal advice on the constitutional and international legal validity of the revised military commissions. If such advice – which should be publicly released – supports Hicks being tried, then the government can with some confidence continue its current policy of support for the US position. If not, then a more proactive position needs to be taken to ensure Hicks’ rights are protected. No matter what David Hicks is alleged to have done, as an Australian citizen he remains entitled to the protection of the law and of the Australian Government. The US would be doing exactly the same for its own if they were detained in Australia.

BTW, for what it's worth, I do agree with Wellard that this guy at LEAST deserves a speedy resolution of his case. But I'm not sure that you will like the resolution - he has some very serious charges leveled against him.

[ 11-15-2006, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: Micah Foehammer ]

[ZFR]

Originally posted by Yorick: When is the political forums period?

the political forum is having its periods.

[Micah Foehammer]

Originally posted by ZFR: quote: Originally posted by Yorick: When is the political forums period?

the political forum is having its period. [/QUOTE]Does that imply that there is also Forums PMS? That would explain a great deal. rotfl

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Micah Foehammer: Consider writing to your own prime minister then: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/forumy/20...s-military.php With Hicks’ de facto POW status now effectively confirmed there is the potential for the Howard Government to request his transfer to Australia. As both a party to the Geneva Convention and also the Afghan conflict, there is nothing under international law which would bar such a transfer..

Originally posted by Yorick on the 14th November Alexander Downer has a lot to answer for in this. It starts with the Aussie government. If Australia were united and demanded Hicks release it would happen. I can't believe America would let an alliance go down the toilet over one prisoner. Every Australian should be up in arms about it. Any Australian could be held like Hicks is and the govt would do nothing it seems. Someone should run against Downer in his own electorate making the David Hicks issue their campaign. Put the shit up Downer for sitting on his arse.