Hicks' father:Give my son a 'proper' trial

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DAVID Hicks' father has used his son's 30th birthday to renew his call for the Australian terror suspect to be tried before a proper court, not a US military commission. David Hicks, an Australian citizen, is being held in a US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, and will face a military commission – possibly in the next few weeks – to answer charges of aiding Taliban fighters in Afghanistan in late 2001.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, aiding the enemy and conspiracy. His father Terry said his son would not get a fair hearing before the commission process. "We don't want David to face that, it's a kangaroo court," Mr Hicks told the Seven network. "We'd prefer David to go before the (US) Federal Court, or to be brought back here and face the court system here in Australia. "The only way David is going to get a fair trial is in a proper court system. "The commissions are not set up to find someone not guilty – they're there to find someone guilty and put them away."

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has defended the government's efforts to secure a fair trial and adequate defence for Hicks amid criticism from former US prosecutors that the commission is rigged and has been set up to secure a conviction. Former High Court judge Mary Gaudron has joined critics of the US military commission process established to try the Adelaide born Muslim convert.

Mr Hicks said today – David's 30th birthday – was not a happy day for the family. "We thought maybe he'd back by now, but I suppose that's pushing the issue too much." He said he was not sure how David was faring today. "The last time I physically spoke to David was about six weeks ago, and he wasn't travelling 100 per cent at that stage," Mr Hicks said. Mr Hicks said they were allowed to send letters, but had been allowed only three phone calls over three and half years.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16180743%255E1702,00.html

[Violet_Crumble]

1. Fair go for David Hicks...

http://www.fairgofordavid.org/htmlfiles/main.htm

For anyone who wants to sign a petition or write a letter about David Hicks, here's some contact details

http://www.fairgofordavid.org/htmlfiles/documents/addresses.htm

Violet...

[Matilda]

2. Howard may have misjudged this one.

If Hicks is convicted in a rigged trial, and especially if he does
receive the death penalty, he will become a martyr. Whatever the
opinions as to Hicks' innocence or guilt, opinion is growing against
him being tried by a military court, and he's gaining sympathy.


http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hicks-family-recieves-tributes-on-sons-30th/2005/08/07/1123353195896.html


It's hard to understand the degree to which Howard will sink to
curry favour with Bush. There is no pride, and no loyalty to
Australia or its citizens at all.

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3. seems like something is missing here.

I'd sure like to know why Hicks can't be tried in Australia, yet these people might be sent back to their countries and Britain's were already sent home
I would also love to know if most people know that Howard's son worked for Bush's re-election campaign.


Bush’s administration is considering transferring about 70% of Guantanamo detainees to their home countries, it emerged yesterday.
"We don't want to be the world's jailer," he said. "We think a more prudent course is to share responsibility with our coalition partners for keeping these individuals from fighting us again. Earlier this week the U.S. government agreed to transfer 110 detainees held at Guantanamo prison to Afghanistan. The deal also includes handing over 350 prisoners the U.S. holds at Bagram air base near Kabul. Similar deals are in the pipeline with Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the officials added.

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4. Tributes for Hicks family

THE family of Australian Guantanamo detainee David Hicks has been inundated with public tributes to mark his 30th birthday today. Hicks' father Terry said complete strangers had contacted the family and stopped him in the street to pass on their support. "We've been approached by people wishing us good luck, even in the supermarket – a lot of people know it's his (David's) birthday," Mr Hicks told AAP today.

"It's been unbelievable and the public support we've had has been excellent."
Mr Hicks said prominent identities had also passed on their well wishes for his son's birthday, including businessman Dick Smith. Adelaide-based lobby group Fair Go for David Hicks spokeswoman Kay Bilney said it was the first time in three years that a public celebration had not been held for Hicks' birthday.

"Only Terry is marking the day, we won't hold any special celebration at the wishes of the family," Ms Bilney said. She said several emails and cards had been sent to Cuba for Hicks' birthday. Last year, members of the lobby group demonstrated outside Parliament House in Adelaide to mark Hicks' birthday.

Ms Bilney reiterated the message from the group to free Hicks.
"David is the only person left in that camp that comes from a western country and we call upon the government to bring him home," Ms Bilney said. Mr Hicks said he hoped it would be a different story for Hicks' next birthday. "Lets's hope he's back home for his next one."


http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16180863%255E1702,00.html

[oscarmitre]

5. I think Hicks is a strange one, a misfit

and probably someone who needs a damn good kick in the arse but I am appalled at the behaviour of the US govt and the Australian govt in this. Our government in Australia is not just compliant it's in supine, boot-licking mode. Howard, Downer, Ruddock, the rest of the cabal are disgusting.

I'm not at all fond of what has been reported about David Hicks but he deserves a fair go. To date there has been none. I suspect there is no evidence against him that would hold up in a normal court, yes "normal" court. So Howard and Downer and Ruddock have to sacrifice him in one of Bush's kangaroo courts to avoid domestic embarrassment.