Legal briefing on Barwon 13 : Melbourne Indymedia

*Invitation to a legal briefing on the Barwon 13*
*Tuesday, March 27, 6:30pm*
*New International Bookshop, cnr Lygon and Victoria Sts, Trades Hall*

When ten Muslim men were arrested in Melbourne under new anti terrorism laws in November 2005, police commissioners and politicians announced that an ‘imminent terrorist attack’ had been thwarted, though no weapons or plans were found, and the men were charged only with being linked to an unspecified terrorist group.

Another three men were arrested in March 2006. In July, they were committed to face trial (the trial will take place later this year).

Civil Rights Defence believe that the 'Barwon 13' are unable to receive a fair trial because the laws that they are charged under are unjust and contravene human rights - they are charged with ‘thought crimes’.

In addition, the conditions of their detention are raising serious concerns
about human rights abuses. The men have been held in Guantanamo Bay-style conditions at Barwon Prison, often isolated in solitary confinement, shackled and frequently subjected to humiliating strip searches. They face more restrictions on contact visits from family members than any other prisoners and have repeatedly raised concerns about their treatment.

On Tuesday March 27, Civil Rights Defence is hosting a legal briefing on the Barwon 13 case. Lawyer and civil libertarian Rob Stary will give a briefing on Australia’s anti-terrorism laws and the current detention of unconvicted remand prisoners in Barwon Prison. This will be followed by questions and a discussion as to what can be done about the situation.

The talk is being held at the New International Bookshop, Melbourne Trades Hall on Tuesday, March 27 at 6:30pm. All welcome.

Photo:

Australian civil rights activists protest terror suspects' internment

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Australian_civil_rights_activists_protest_terror_suspects'_internment

Erratum Erronious
by Tony Mokbel (Tram river, not drug dealer) Tuesday March 20, 2007 at 08:46 PM

Mr Stary is the legal representative of some of the accused. He cannot be relied upon to provide a 'briefing', which by the nature of the word entails a dispassionate elucidation of the facts.

He has a vested interest in the defendants being acquitted, regardless of their guilt. That's because he has a responsibility to provide the best possible defence he can for his clients. The guilt or innocence of the men quite correctly irrelavant to Mr Stary. An acquittal for his clients is his objective, regardless of the truth of the matter or whether justice is served by that outcome.

He is an honourable man doing the best job he can.

But don't expect an unbiased, objective and thoughtful discourse from him.

He's a lawyer, remember, and lawyers try to get their clients off, despite the justice of achieving that end.

The mid-year trial of Melbourne's 13 terrorism scapegoats is in doubt, with most of them applying for it to be delayed.

Lawyers for 10 of the 13 terror scapegoats will today apply for a stay of proceedings.

The defence team says it has been left with no option, with its clients refusing to meet with lawyers until their concerns about their conditions of imprisonment are addressed.

The Muslim men are upset they are not allowed to pray together, which lawyers say is allowed to happen at Guantanamo Bay.

The suspects are also unhappy about the lack of contact they are allowed with their families.

Corrections Victoria has said praying in a group is a public safety risk and contact visits are only allowed in high security prisons in exceptional circumstances.

The defendants have previously gone on hunger strikes, failed to show up for the first day of their committal hearing and threatened to sack their lawyers.

Justice Bongiorno is expecting to hear from Corrections Victoria and the Commonwealth DPP today in regards to the complaints, but has said if the suspects' application is found to be without merit, their lack of cooperation will rebound on them.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1877328.htm