Download PDF

Australian Democrats Press Releases

Senator Natasha Stott Despoja Democrats Senator for South Australia Australian Democrats spokesperson for Attorney Generals

Dated: 14 December 2005 Press Release Number: dpkmgyfy Portfolio: Attorney Generals Related: Attorney General & Justice

Hicks: UK to come through where Australia failed?

Last nights ruling by the British High Court has exposed the Australian Governments neglect of citizen David Hicks, according to the Australian Democrats.

"If the British Government extends citizenship to David Hicks, it is likely they will come through where Australia has failed, by extraditing Mr Hicks and ensuring he is not tried before a United States military tribunal," Democrats Attorney-Generals Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said.

"In contrast to our Government, the British Government has been outspoken in its condemnation of the military tribunal process, and has joined a number of other countries including Spain and France, in refusing to allow its citizens to be tried before the tribunals.

"The United Kingdoms Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, recently said that the United Kingdom has been unable to accept that the US military tribunals offer sufficient guarantees of a fair trial in accordance with international standards.

"It is a pity the Australian Government does not share the United Kingdoms respect for international human rights law, in fact, our Government appears to have gone out of its way not only to avoid criticising the military tribunals, but to defend them.

"In response to my question without notice on the issue in September, Minister Chris Ellison stated The government is satisfied that the military commission process is appropriate.

"The following day, the Government voted down my motion in the Senate calling on it to advocate for Mr Hicks trial to be conducted in a properly constituted court with rules of procedure and evidence that meet Australian and international standards of fairness.

"Everyone should have access to a fair and transparent trial. It is an absolute disgrace that David Hicks has languished in Guantanamo Bay for almost four years, abandoned by his Government and subject to a questionable legal process," Senator Stott Despoja said.