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Senator Bob Brown Senator for Tasmania

Call for Howard to accept Hicks’ UK freedom bid: Bring Hicks home - Greens

14th Dec 05

Greens Senator Bob Brown has called on Prime Minister Howard not to intervene against the UK High Court ruling granting David Hicks British citizenship.

“The Australian Government has failed David Hicks’ right, as an Australian citizen, to be repatriated from Guantanamo Bay for four years.

“It would be grossly improper for it to compound that failure by leaning on the Blair Government to appeal the High Court ruling or in any other way impede Hicks’ right to go to Britain,” Senator Brown said.

“Foreign Minister Downer has indicated the Australian government will remain neutral during these proceedings and Mr Howard must now do the right thing and bring Hicks home - not via London but direct to Adelaide.

“Australian dignity, as well as Hicks’ legal right, should be rescued, even at this late hour,” Senator Brown said.

Last August Labor joined the Coalition to vote down a Greens’ senate motion to bring Hicks home to Australia.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603