Calls for full inquiry into Hicks claims

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There have been bipartisan calls for a full inquiry into fresh allegations that Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks was tortured and sexually abused by American soldiers. The military lawyer for Hicks, Major Michael Mori, says he has witness accounts and photographic evidence to back the claims.

A former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Martin Munbanga, has told ABC TV's Four Corners program that Hicks confided in him about being blindfolded and beaten, spat on, sexually abused and assaulted. Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says Australian officials will conduct an investigation. Hicks's Adelaide-based lawyer David McLeod says it is about time. "The Government is saying that it's finally prepared to look into it," he said. "That's a big step forward because to now they've relied upon so-called investigations and inquiries conducted by the very people against whom the accusations have been made, namely the US military."

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce says he is shocked by the allegations of sexual abuse and the claims need to be checked. "That is obviously intolerable," he said. "There's no one who is going to allow that to be part of your incarceration, that is absolutely an anathema if that has happened. "But it's an allegation at this point in time and the veracity of that has to be tested like any other allegation about any other person." Shadow attorney-general Nicola Roxon says these latest claims are alarming. "Whenever an allegation as serious as this has been made, we have to be worried whether this is true and we have to be worried about the sorts of controls that are in place," she said.

"I mean, how does this stack up with what the Government has told us up until now?" Greens Senator Bob Brown says he is very angry. "The news about Hicks now is more than undignifying as far as Hicks is concerned," he said.
"It's a blot on this nation and this Government has kept that, kept the whole sordid scene at bay."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1495172.htm

[stepnw1f]

1. I Would Actually Give This Guy...

the chance to take his anger out on Bush. What say everyone else?

[No Exit]

2. I'm with you on that!

If only we could all do it...

[oscarmitre]

3. Our government here in Australia -

- the Commonwealth (federal) government has colluded with the Bush Administration on this. They continue to lie about this. But sadly most Australians don't care. It won't damage the Howard Government. This of itself should be sufficient to throw them out of office at the next election but it will take much more.

[babylonsister]

4. Thanks for shedding some truth, Australia. Your country

might just be the straw that breaks this wide open. Very sad the US can't abide telling the truth.

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5. Downer's staff 'knew of Hicks abuse claims'

The Australian lawyer for Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks says Government officials have been told previously of allegations that his client was physically and sexually assaulted while in custody. Hicks's US military lawyer, Major Michael Mori, told the ABC's Four Corners last night that he has witness accounts and photographic evidence to back the claims.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says he is surprised to learn of the allegations and Australian officials will investigate. Lawyer David McLeod, who has just returned from his second visit to Guantanamo Bay, has welcomed the Government's investigation. But he says Mr Downer should have been aware of the allegations. "It may well be that the Minister is surprised," he said.

"Unfortunately his officials have known about them for some time and they were raised last year in August. "It's as well now for him to take a bigger interest in what's going on and get to the bottom of it."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1495515.htm