Bring David Hicks Home Vigil
by Takver Friday January 19, 2007 at 11:03 PM

People gathered outside the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs in Casseldon Place today to protest the ongong detention without trial of David Hicks. David Hicks has started his sixth year of detention in the US administered Guantanamo Bay Camp on the island of Cuba, still without trial. Much of this time has been in solitary confinement. Hicks alledges he has been subject to torture and abuse by US authorities.

bringhickshome_1196.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x385

The vigil heard a condemnation of recent statements by Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer that rejected concerns over the Guantanamo detainee's mental health based upon a recent visit of an Australian-based US official with no medical qualifications, and which lasted for just five minutes.

According to a report in the Age (http://ncane.com/6h6), one of the USA Embassy "officials briefly met Hicks as part of a tour of Guantanamo last week and an assessment of his mental state was passed on to Mr Downer."

Terry Hicks has responded to Downers comments in the Age report:
"They had a five-minute conversation where David was reluctant to pass on any information or really talk to them. So in five minutes they did a hell of a big assessment on him," Mr Hicks said.

"I asked (the ambassador) what qualifications did these people have? Well they had none. A five-minute meeting by someone who's not accredited with being a psychiatrist (who then) can go to an Australian official and say 'I just spoke to David and he's quite fine', well, hang on a minute, five minutes, that's absolutely stupid.

Mr Hicks said he asked the ambassador for an independent assessment of his son from a qualified psychiatrist who was not affiliated with either government or military.

"I still believe after the conversation we had in July with David that's he's not well," Mr Hicks said "And then of course he declined to speak with us (this month), which told me he isn't well because David usually grabs a chance to talk."

The vigil was addressed by CFMEU official Martin Kingham, who condemned and equated the erosion of civil liberties, with the severe penalties and restrictions the Howard Government has imposed on workers in the construction industry.

The vigils will continue on a weekly basis on Fridays at midday in Melbourne until David Hicks is brought home. No vigil will be held on Friday 26 January as it is a public holiday.

add your comments

Amnesty International speaks
by Takver Friday January 19, 2007 at 11:04 PM

bringhickshome_1199.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333

add your comments

Fair trial for All Australians
by Takver Friday January 19, 2007 at 11:04 PM

bringhickshome_1210.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333

add your comments

Martin Kingham from the CFMEU
by Takver Friday January 19, 2007 at 11:04 PM

bringhickshome_1212.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333

add your comments