Download PDF

MEDIA RELEASE

Nicola Roxon MP Shadow Attorney-General 13 April 2006

Where does the Hicks case end?

Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney-General, renewed calls for the Howard Government to intervene in David Hicks’ case as reports emerged that he is again being held in solitary confinement.

‘It has been more than four years and there has still been no trial for David Hicks. Even worse, the Howard Government continues to wash its hands of the matter.’

‘Where does it end? Over four years of detention without conviction and still no trial.’

‘Now the Government doesn’t even seem to know how Mr Hicks is being treated. His lawyers say he is in solitary confinement when the Government says he’s not.’

‘We need urgent answers on how Mr Hicks is being detained. If he has been put in solitary confinement, the Government needs to explain the reasons. This is too serious a matter for continuing disinterest from the Howard Government.’

‘Every Australian citizen has a right to expect that if they get in trouble overseas the Australian Government will defend their right to a fair trial.’

‘Under Mr Howard, Mr Ruddock and Mr Downer, the Coalition Government has failed this most basic test. They have managed this case with utter incompetence.’

‘It is never too late for the Prime Minister to admit he has been wrong and demand a fair trial for Mr Hicks as soon as possible.’

On the issue of Mr Hicks’ application for UK citizenship and his success in the UK Court of Appeal last night Ms Roxon said ‘Whether Mr Hicks can or cannot be given UK citizenship is an issue for the British Government and British Courts.’

‘But it is a major embarrassment for Australia that this Australian citizen has had to turn to another country in the hope of having his basic rights protected. Unlike the Howard Government, the Blair Government recognises that the military commission process is unfair and would not let it be used for its citizens,’ Ms Roxon said.

Thursday, 13 April 2006

For more information call Jacob Varghese: 0417 108 362 or 03 9687 7355

Lou Cullen Media Adviser/Administration Office of The Hon Kim C Beazley MP Leader of the Opposition