Colin Mitchell, Melbourne
On June 14, 13 men who were arrested in sensationalised raids in Melbourne in November and March appeared in court and were charged with belonging to an unnamed terrorist organisation and donating money to that organisation. What the public has not been told is that the men themselves have been deemed to be the terrorist organisation. They are not charged with planning a specific terrorist act.
Outside the court, Civil Rights Defence (CRD) members protested against the violation of the men's civil liberties and the political motivations behind the arrests. They were joined by Michael Pearce from Liberty Victoria who said, "Australia is experiencing the most sustained assault on civil liberties in 50 years and the 'Melbourne 13' are victims of that assault."
Pearce explained that the men "have been charged under absurdly vague and general laws, are held in inhumane conditions and are effectively denied legal representation. Their treatment is an affront to the most basic principles of the rule of law."
Protest organiser Shannon Price agreed. "This trial is a disgrace", she said. "All Victorians should be concerned when people are spending months in maximum security detention not for what they have done, but for what they think." Price was referring to the prosecution's "evidence" in the form of recorded telephone conversations in which the men expressed radical opinions.
Jack Thomas was falsely accused by the Federal Police of being a "sleeper agent" for terrorists, but was acquitted by a jury of ever intending to act as a terrorist. Are the Melbourne 13 being set up by ASIO and the Federal Police for political purposes?
Shannon put it this way: "This trial is clearly being used to create hysteria about a terrorist threat that doesn't exist in Australia. The whole circus is designed to make people feel scared, prejudice the chances of these men receiving a fair trial and create an environment in which civil liberties can be further eroded."
The 'Melbourne 13' are due to face a committal hearing on July 24. CRD will demonstrate in front of the court that day, which is also the first day of Thomas's appeal against his conviction for accepting money and a plane ticket home to Australia from al Qaeda. The evidence upon which his conviction depended was obtained under torture.
On August 13, CRD will stage a solidarity bus ride to Barwon Prison, where Thomas and the Melbourne 13 are being held, and hold a peaceful rally outside the prison to highlight civil rights issues. To book a seat on the bus, or for more information, phone Gerard on 0407 856 628.
CRD meets every Tuesday at 6.30pm, New International Bookshop, Trades Hall, corner Lygon and Victoria Streets, Melbourne. All are welcome.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, June 28, 2006.
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