Melbourne Indymedia http://melbourne.indymedia.org Melbourne Independent Media Center Melbourne Indymedia Melbourne Indymedia Melbourne Indymedia http://melbourne.indymedia.org/images/logo.png http://melbourne.indymedia.org Melbourne Independent Media Center http://melbourne.indymedia.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=10183&category_id=17 Justice for David Hicks Hicks Determined to Fight Charges 2007-06-05T14:02:58 civil_liberties Melbourne Indymedia David Hicks, "an Australian son abandoned by the nation and his government has decided to fight the fabricated charges brought against him by the criminal Bush regime." reports the Cleaves Editorial team. Hicks has rejected a plea bargain. Major Michael Mori has called for the Howard Government to challenge the charge of 'providing material support of terrorism'. "It's a made-up charge, it has a really impressive name, but it never existed in the law of war, in any of the US law of war manuals, or in any Australian law of war manual," he said.

On 26 February Lawyers for David Hicks fronted the Federal Court in the ongoing case against the Commonwealth for failing to protect an Australian citizen abroad. Justice Brian Tamblin reserved his decision citing the complexity of the case.

Friday vigils in Melbourne continue to garner support for David Hicks, with speakers including Tasneem Chopra of the Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria , Monash law lecturer Patrick Emerton, Rod Quantock and a relative of one of the Barwon 13, and Terry Hicks. The 2007 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney featured a 'Love Justice - Bring David Hicks Home' float.

Fair go for David | Bring David Hicks Home | Civil Rights Defence]]> http://melbourne.indymedia.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=10184&category_id=17 David Hicks Vigils Continue David Hicks Vigils Continue 2007-06-05T14:04:16 civil_liberties Melbourne Indymedia The campaign in support of David Hicks continued on Friday with a vigil outside the Department of Foreign Affairs in Melbourne. Those present heard from Lynne Alison on the recent report from the Law Council of Australia questioning the legality of Hicks' detention and from Civil Rights Defence on the 'opportunism' and 'hypocrisy' of politicians who have suddenly realised they are on the wrong side of public opinion on this issue. [Full Story]

[Civil Rights Defence Address | Government declares it owes no legal duty to Hicks] ]]> http://melbourne.indymedia.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=10189&category_id=17 Free David Hicks Pressure continues on Government over David Hicks 2007-06-05T14:13:17 civil_liberties Melbourne Indymedia 200 people turned up in the rain in Melbourne as part of a national day of protest to Free David Hicks. Speakers included Senator Bob Brown, Martin Kingham from the Construction Union and Terry Hicks, who said "'The problem we have with this government at the moment is what rights do we as Australians have? Under this government we have none. They've stripped us of our human rights .."

Liz Thompson raised "... a question that really need to be asked is why it is that the full force of the state - snatch squads, federal police, anti-terror units - have been deployed against the G20 protesters, when Paul Wolfowitz, architect of the Iraq invasion, a man against whom a million Australians and millions more around the globe protested, got a special invitation [to the G20 forum]." Full Story with Audio reports | Video report

Fair Go for David | Petition to fire Paul Wolfowitz]]> http://melbourne.indymedia.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=10124&category_id=17 5 years of Incarceration in Guantanamo Bay is Too Long Thousands Rally for David Hicks 2006-12-13T11:25:11 civil_liberties Melbourne Indymedia Protests across Australia marked the fifth anniversary of David Hicks's detention at Guantanamo Bay, with calls for the Federal Government to demand his repatriation to Australia. In Melbourne five thousand people gathered at Federation Square in blistering heat to hear speakers Nicole Bieske from Amnesty International, and various MPs and civil rights lawyers.

As at December 9, 60 Federal politicians have said "Bring David Hicks home NOW", with 7 saying "No, leave David Hicks to the Americans." Getup have raised $150,000 for a billboard campaign to Bring David Hicks Home.

According to Corporate media reports thousands of people rallied across Australia
Civil Rights Defence | AMCRAN | Fair Go for David]]> http://melbourne.indymedia.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=9979&category_id=17 House Arrest Ruddock places Curfew on Jack Thomas 2006-08-29T15:43:03 civil_liberties Melbourne Indymedia Jack Thomas, recently acquitted of terrorism charges by the Victorian Appeals Court, has had a control order placed on him by the Australian Federal Police. Les Thomas from Civil Rights Defence, expressed his outrage at the decision to serve his brother Jack Thomas with a control order, despite the Appeal Court quashing charges against him. "My brother is being persecuted,’ said Les Thomas. ‘Jack was trying to recover from his ordeal by spending time on the beach with his wife and family when the AFP dropped this new bombshell. He has had to return home and has been told he must report to a police station daily."

"Anyone who cares about civil liberties should be outraged at this decision," he said. This is the first use of a control under the new anti-terrorist laws. The order was signed off by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and issued by a magistrate on Sunday. [Full Story]

Civil Rights Defence | Justice for Jack |
The Torture of Jack Thomas | Greens condemn control orders]]> http://melbourne.indymedia.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=9961&category_id=17 Civil Rights Defence Supreme Court Quashes Thomas Conviction 2006-08-19T13:22:07 civil_liberties Melbourne Indymedia The first person found guilty under Australia's new counter-terrorism laws has won his appeal against his conviction. The Court of Appeal in Melbourne has quashed Joseph Terrence Thomas' conviction in the Supreme Court in February, when he was jailed for five years, with a two-year minimum. Victorian Court of Appeal Justices Chris Maxwell, Frank Vincent and Peter Buchanan quashed the convictions, saying the evidence used to find Thomas guilty was inadmissible. [Full story]

Civil Rights Defence | Justice for Jack |
Event 20/8: Oppose the Unjust Terror Laws - Bus Ride to Barwon ]]>