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Senator Bob Brown Senator for Tasmania

Government votes down Hicks motion in Senate

Senator Brown, 14th June 2006

Labor today joined the Greens and Democrats to support Greens Leader Bob Brown's motion calling on the government to close Guantanamo Bay and ensure that Australian David Hicks receives a fair trial. The motion was rejected 34 Noes, 28 Ayes.

"The Howard government has left David Hicks, an Australian citizen, to rot in Guantanamo Bay for four years. No other government in the world has abandoned its citizens to this illegal system. John Howard alone remains subservient to the Bush

administration in this matter," Senator Brown said.

"In the wake of the suicides of three inmates and reports of torture at the camp, John Howard and Phillip Ruddock remain unmoved."

"Guantanamo Bay is anathema to rule of law. It should be closed immediately," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603

The motion read that:

The Senate

1. notes the suicide of three prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, none of whom, despite years in captivity, had been charged or brought before a court; 2. also recognizes that Australian citizen David Hicks has been detained in the prison for more than four years without trial; and 3. calls on the government to take active measures to influence the United

States' administration to close Guantanamo Bay and return Mr Hicks to Australia and take urgent action to ensure that Mr Hicks receives a full and fair trial that meets international standards of human rights and justice.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603