Wanda Fish asks Australian Senators to reject Howard's proposal to strengthen laws that already erode our basic legal rights. This legislation has the potential to turn ASIO agents into terrorists who can kidnap and detain innocent Australians simply because they "might know something".[ And or simply because they might know nothing at all ie used as scapegoats for a call to arms and resource wars in the Middle East. ]
THE TERRORISM OF ASIO POWER
Will the Australian Senate Protect Australians?
As John Howard prepares to hold his 'secret' summit about the Terror Laws, Australians are once again praying that enough senators will see beyond the Prime Minister's fear-mongering and understand the consequences of further strengthening laws that already give too much power to ASIO.
'The Howard Government has shown a relentless drive towards greater executive control - from the public service to the ABC, the defence forces and (relentlessly) the judiciary – despite the danger this poses to our democratic fabric and to the rule of law.'
Terror Laws: ASIO, Counter-Terrorism and The Threat to Democracy by Jenny Hocking. Published by UNSW Press, 2003.
Since 'Terror Laws' was published in 2003 (and supported by an overwhelming majority of the Australian legal community), John Howard has hijacked a couple of other avenues of dissent. Industrial relations legislation has disempowered the unions and workers, and expulsion of student unionism will (or so the Prime Minister hopes) hinder the effectiveness of the student community as the 'protesting conscience' of society. Both of these grabs for more central power have generated angry responses from the electorate and massive demonstrations by workers, unionists, students and the millions of families to whom these protestors belong.
Shockingly, the Prime Minister's actions collectively have begun to resemble the megalomania of an infamous fascist dictator who also forced through legislation about surveillance and detention. Adolf Hitler was targeting the Jews while today John Howard seems determined to profile another ethnic group and religion. His frequent and loud protests that he 'cares' for the Muslim community and wants to 'protect' them does not ring true as Australians witness the events of ASIO raids on innocent Muslim households. The recent complaints from several leading members of the Muslim community and the 'exclusiveness' of John Howard's 'terror summit' lend weight to this suspicion.
Every Australian Senator, regardless of party line, needs to step back from the 'Bush-Howard-Blair' hype and to find the wisdom within themselves when contemplating these questions about both the existing and proposed amendments to our Terror Laws. These laws do not protect us from terrorism. These laws enable ASIO to terrorise innocent Australians and an entire ethnic group through their targeted discrimination.
1. Who precisely are we waging this 'war' against? Terrorism and terrorist are generic terms that can and probably will ultimately mean anyone who disagrees with John Howard, George Bush or Tony Blair. The writers of the existing legislation clearly had great difficulty wrestling with the definition (and therefore legal implications) of who is a terrorist or what is terrorism. Senators should study carefully sections 2 and 2(A) of Security Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2002, part 5.3 (definitions).
2. Does anyone really trust ASIO with these extended powers of domestic surveillance and detention without legal rights? Under this Act, even as amended by the former Senate, Australians may be detained for one week on the basis that they might be able to assist ASIO in its gathering of intelligence information. Liberal Senators should listen carefully to Malcolm Fraser's warnings about these draconian and dangerous laws. Who wins in the war against terror when innocent Australians who have committed no crime can be detained, are refused access to a lawyer, have no right to silence, and can be imprisoned for merely speaking out about their unfair detention?
3. Should we trust a Prime Minister who uses unfounded fear campaigns to grab more power? This of course leads to the other question many Australians are asking: why the sudden urgency for 'strengthened' terror laws when we have not had terrorist attack within Australia since this vague 'war on terror' began in 2001? Surely John Howard's fear mongering has attracted the unknown 'terrorists' whom he claims to 'protect' us from. Who therefore is the terrorist - some mythical and unknown extremist or a Prime Minister who wants to take away some our basic democratic freedoms and silence all disagreement (and therefore discussion) amongst his own Party and Coalition.
4. Are seeing disturbing signs of racial and ethnic profiling from the Howard Government? Last month, a senior public servant speaking on behalf of ASIO said on 'Australia Talks Back' (ABC Radio National): 'Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims.' Not only is this statement factually incorrect (terrorism existed long before 9-11 and terrorists have come from every religion), it is also a clear case of racial vilification from a government spokesperson. John Howard spins a tale to the public about how he is not discriminating against the Muslim community, and at the same time invites ONLY Muslim representatives (no other religions or ethnic group has been targeted for this summit) to his closed door meeting on terror laws. Hitler similarly involved the Jews in their own genocide. Many Muslim communities and leaders have already complained publicly about the prejudicial treatment they are receiving from ASIO, the Government, and ignorant Australians who are victims of the Government's unfounded fear campaign.
5. How dangerous is John Howard's intention to follow the UK example in terms of how he will deal with 'terrorist suspects'? The sanctioned murder of an innocent Brazilian on his way to work in London is the ultimate example of what happens when racial profiling is boosted by shoot-to-kill powers. Surely we do not want to see this happen in Australia. Consider carefully the powers you give to a secret service agency with a checkered history of embarrassing mistakes. The Terror Laws have the potential to turn embarrassment into tragedy where innocent people can die and have their lives ruined.
6. Do Australians really believe that these Terror Laws will stop future terrorist attacks? John Howard says he believes this is the case, but by definition 'terrorism' will continue to exist as long as there is something fueling it. The long running war in Iraq has resulted in more than 100,000 civilian deaths where 80,000 have been caused by Coalition occupation and invasion, and 20,000 by insurgency reaction. As long as John Howard continues to publicly support President Bush (who is rapidly losing the support of his own people and Congress), Australia will be 'at risk'. Remember the brave statement from the young Australian woman who was injured in the London bombings. She courageously and firmly told John Howard to his face that she believes the London attacks were motivated by the continued occupation and devastation of Iraq.
7. Why does Australia need even greater powers that erode even more of our civil liberties than the United States where the 9-11 attacks actually occurred? Americans have a Bill of Rights (so do the English), but Australians lack the basic protection of a Bill of Rights. John Howard is the only Coalition leader who has been able to take away the right to speak and the right to silence because of this. The judicial system gave us those rights, but now the Prime Minister wants to create 'special circumstances' where innocent people who might attend the same Mosque as someone else, can be detained for more than a week and not be allowed to even explain why - if and when he/she is allowed free again. Hopefully Senators will think about that carefully before they vote away more of our basic rights.
8. John Howard, with advice from ASIO, has now listed seven organizations for banning without trial under the Terror Laws. What is the potential for that list to grow to include trade unions, activist groups, and indeed any organized group that dares to question western values or the government of the day? It is one thing for John Howard to exercise his authoritarian control within the Party Room. It is quite another terrorise all Australians with unnecessary laws that revoke the rights we have been given through the judiciary system.
Most Australians still have a strong sense of fair play and will not accept, support or obey this kind of totalitarian law. And why should we?
Do you agree with detention without charge, indefinitely?
Do you believe organizations should be banned without trial?
Do you support the kidnapping, strip-searching and interrogation of children without charge?
If you have answered a resounding NO to each question, I urge you to write to your Senator and your Member of Parliament. Or call them. You will find all the contact details you need on the Parliament website.
Illustration:
Terrorism laws take away your rights
More than 20 federal ASIO and "anti-terrorism" laws have been passed in Australia since September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Centre in New York was destroyed in a terrorist attack. A number of states in Australia have also passed "anti-terrorism" legislation. Dale Mills*, from the Community Legal Centre at the University of Technology in Sydney, said that "the government's case is that the laws apply to 'terrorists'. But the definition of terrorism is so wide, and the powers of ASIO so broad, that it is not just 'terrorists' who have to worry about the laws. It is every Muslim, every activist, and every person who is concerned about civil rights."
Questions about Terror Laws
Wanda Fish asks the Howard Government some insightful questions about the Terror Laws that hands a victory to the terrorists John Howard purports to fight.
AIJC Support of Anti-Terror Laws
Wanda reminds the Australia/Israel & Jewish Council that the last leader to introduce similar anti-terrorism legislation was Adolf Hitler.
Open Letter to the Editor of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council
Talk of graft and drugs rocks Senate
Since a peak of $230 million in 1999-2000, government spending on advertising has never dropped below $100 million. The Federal Government is now the biggest advertiser, outspending Coles Myer, Holden and Coca-Cola.
By Wanda Fish 20 Aug 05
Related:
Terrorgraph not quiet on 'Aussie militant' probe
AFP refuses to comment on investigation into militant video: hoWARd's abc.
Phillip Duddock's 'accent' heard in militant broadcast
Australian/Arab television has broadcast a video showing a masked militant with an apparent Australian accent criticising British Prime Minister tony bliar over Iraq.
HICKS: Not a Happy Birthday!
AUSTRALIA/CUBA/US :David Hicks, the Australian imprisoned at the US Base of Guantanamo Bay, will be 30 years old this coming Monday August 7, 2005.
GetUp! Stand Up! Stand Up For Your Rights!
Because of you, something exciting happened in our democracy last week. From every corner of the country, more than 20,000 emails were sent to the Coalition Senators. Our message was simple: now you have control of the Senate, we will be holding you to account. Thousands of you added personal messages to your representatives about the issues you care about.
Australia: We're Living In A War Zone
Prime Minister john hoWARd and his cronies have now placed us in a war-zone moving defence capabilities to Australia's south-east coast.
All the alleged terrorists are Muslims
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner mick keelty, a well know propagandist and liar, now claims that 60 Islamic extremists are operating in Australia and they are not news to the police and intelligence agencies.
All the wicked witches in Pakistan?
Pakistani authorities say 800 suspected militants [scapegoates and patsies] have been arrested in raids following the deadly London [false flag operation] bombings, as Islamic groups protest a move to expel 1,400 foreign students.
It's just not cricket: Khan
The perception in the West remained that somehow Islam was connected to militarism and terrorism, that all Muslims believe that all suicide bombers go straight to heaven. No one mentioned that before [false flag operations of] 9/11 70 per cent of suicide bombings in the world were committed by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, who were Hindus.
Lawyer dismisses ASIO fishing raids as PR stunt
Fascist federal Police (AFP) and ASIO officers conducted more raids in Melbourne and Sydney yesterday but the publicity surrounding the raids has been dismissed as a public relations exercise by the Melbourne lawyer for an accused terrorist.
Howard off to US, UK - part 5
PART-5- PRIME minister john hoWARd will meet US president george w buSHIT, British prime minister tony blair and queen 'imperialism' herself during a 10-day visit to the United States and the UK next month.
hoWARd, ruddock, ellison, keelty and news ltd plotted chaos
AUSTRALIA/CUBA: Government and corporate propaganda agencies 'believe' they have foiled an attack on the Melbourne Stock Exchange by a radical Islamic network linked to a covert group, which has carried out surveillance on key Sydney sites.
Houses raided over 'possible' political attack plans?
ASIO have raided a number of properties in Melbourne on a 'fishing expedition' in relation to a 'possible' political scare campaign by the hoWARd government, playing on the fears of all Australians... again!
Is this our most dangerous Newspaper?
The Daily Terrorist should be managed with manacles and flown into Siberia via a jumbo jet tomorrow amid fears government fascists may attempt to use them again on someone else.
HOSTAGES OF THE WAR ON TERROR
This forum will bring together legal representatives and victims of counter-terror, along with justice campaigners and organisations in order to share strategies for achieving justice for these men and the many other like them.
WAR ON TERROR, WAR ON HUMAN RIGHTS: AMNESTY
The Canterbury-Bankstown Peace Group & the Justice for Hicks & Habib Campaign welcome the statement by Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan, condemning the US Administration for condoning torture and the suppression of 'human rights' in their 'war on terror'.
Murdoch's war on truth in war reporting
People who remain to be convinced that cross-media laws are important to maintaining the fabric of our democracy need look no further than today's page one of The Daily Telegraph.
Chomsky signs on for justice
Noam Chomsky has signed the Justice for Jack campaign petition which calls on the Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock and Director of Public Prosecutions to "drop any charges reliant on records of interviews conducted under duress without the presence of a lawyer."
If he'd been given his passport he'd be a free man
A Sydney man [scapegoat in the Coalition of the Killings resource wars in the Middle East] has been found not guilty of preparing for a terrorist attack on a Commonwealth building [ruling class propaganda.]
Trial by unrelated video clips
Should alleged terrorist suspects [scapegoats for the resource wars in the Middle East] be shown on television side-by side-'terrorist training camp film clips' gathered by the government and media archives to give the wrong impression of accused people facing trial?
Accused Australian Citizen 'denied passport in 2002'?
AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN who was refused a passport by DFAT in mid-2002 became frustrated at the government for treating him differently.
Court should be told Gov't using 'Jack'!
A Melbourne court should have been told a man accused of working for Al Qaeda is being used by the fascist Australian Government as a pawn in their leverage to win support for their illegal and degrading activities.
Noble Cause Torture?
AUSTRALIA: The Labor Party has decided not to support a Senate inquiry into new allegations made by Mamdouh Habib that the Australian Government cooperated with Egyptian intelligence authorities who he insists tortured him.
New account adds weight to interrogation claims
Australia/Cuba/Iraq: The fascist Federal Government is under further pressure today because Australians were involved in the interrogation of tortured Iraqi prisoners.
Australian senate accused govt of war crimes
Did you hear the one about David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib having a Barbeque in Afghanistan with Bin Laden? Yeah it was reported on Channel Seven's Sunrise this morning! But they don't know if it was a sheep or a goat, but sources say it was most likely a goat.
DPP to appeal innocent man's bail
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will seek to have an innocent Melbourne man Joseph 'Jack' Thomas, returned to isolation in custody?
Fascist Australian Govt torture exposed
The fascist Federal Government has been exposed for the torture of Australian Mamdouh Habib and the US Government's allegations against him (if they were true) would have been made under duress.
Innocent witch verballed by federal fascists!
Shame on the federal fascists. The wicked old witch is dead! A Melbourne Magistrates Court has heard that a 31-year-old innocent Victorian man was facing terrorism charges?
Lawyer blames police for Habib break-in
John HoWARd, Alexander Downer, Phillip Ruddock, Robert Hill, to name just a few....HOW DO YOU PLEAD?
No reason for Habib to sell story: Beazley?
Federal Agreement Leader Kim Beazley is a well-paid loser. A loser who supposed to be defending our democratic rights by standing up to the HoWARd Government's fascism.
Australia: a presumption of guilt......
KAREN PERCY: Two of Australia's leading barristers have seized on the return of Guantanamo Bay detainee, Mamdouh Habib, to launch an unprecedented attack on the Federal Attorney General, Philip Ruddock.
Aust Community criticises Govt for 'crimes'!
Australia: The Law Council of Australia is warning that the Federal Government must learn from its mistakes over Guantanamo Bay? Now that's a mistake!
Australian Govt Guilty of Crimes: Community
Australia: The community says federal fascists who allowed the torture of its citizenry including Mamdouh Habib may be arrested when the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal address the War Crimes Indictment set out by the community.
What they did to Habib
Mamdouh Habib was the victim of atrocities fit for a concentration camp, including being tied to the ground while a prostitute menstruated on him, his lawyer said yesterday.
Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes
Complaint to Australian law officers about Australian Federal Government complicity in war crimes.
There is no justification for torture
In the weeks since the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison were revealed, evidence continues to seep out of similar mistreatment of prisoners in other US military detention centers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay.
Howard rejects spy agency overhaul
Prime Minister John Howard has played down the need for a major overhaul of Australia's spy agencies as a result of an inquiry by former intelligence officer Phillip Flood.
Fascist Australian Govt torture exposed
The fascist Federal Government has been exposed for the torture of Australian Mamdouh Habib and the US Government's allegations against him (if they were true) would have been made under duress.
Innocent witch verballed by federal fascists!
Shame on the federal fascists. The wicked old witch is dead! A Melbourne Magistrates Court has heard that a 31-year-old innocent Victorian man was facing terrorism charges?
Innocent Victorian man held in custody for Xmas?!
Lawyers have argued the case against Mr Thomas was weak and based on a statement he made in Pakistan without a lawyer present and therefore unlawful.
Innocent Melbourne man makes second bail bid
Rubish, just plain propaganda, fear-mongering, draconian nonsence from the HoWARd goverment's war agenda stink tank.
MPs to review spy agency powers
Australian spy agency ASIO'S controversial powers to detain and question suspected terrorists [scapegoats for HoWARd's resource wars] will be re-examined by a parliamentary committee. Parliament passed the new counter-terrorism powers in July last year.
Goulburn Jail breaches UN standards
NSW: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on Justice Minister John Hatzistergos to bring Goulburn Jail's Maximum Security Wing into line with United Nations standards, after a prison inmate's covert survey of his fellow inmates revealed problems with rehabilitation programs and basic amenities.
Lodhi toilet paper: crap!
He is facing nine charges and is accused of planning a major terrorist attack on Sydney defence sites and the electricity grid using downloads off the internet and having 100 rolls of toilet paper to wipe his arse after low level bombs and farts.
Brain injury for suspicion 'inhumane'
Faheem Khalid Lodhi refused bail by a Sydney court and remanded until June in hell at the (HARM-U) High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn. While he is in there he will receive a brain injury and is likely to self-harm due to the gross violation of living standards.
Ul-Haque 'the man who wants to become a doctor'
The taskforce is investigating French man Willie Brigitte, who was tipped back home for a visa breach. Allegedly the Un-Australian Newspaper claimed he also attended training camps before his six-month stay in Sydney. Police have not alleged Mr Ul-Haque knew Brigitte. The Un-Australian just mentioned it because they are 'you guessed it' up John Howard's butt and they like the USA want 'you guessed it' our Federal Government. Well Yankee go home!
Daily Terror rolled-over for Howard's war games
The DAILY TERROR is suspected of being the source of the news this morning that Willie Brigitte is a terrorist and that Sydney faces a bomb attack.
Ruddock foreshadows new terrorism laws
The new laws will allow police to access emails and mobile phone SMS messages, enable wider use of surveillance devices, and protect sensitive national security information during terrorism trials.
Community seeks more power to interrogate ASIO suspects
Greens Senator Bob Brown does not think increased police powers are necessary. "We have enormous powers for surveillance, apprehension or punishment of people who are engaged in or intending to engage in or thinking about being engaged in terrorist acts in this country," he said.
Greens warn of 'politicised' terror trials
AUSTRALIA/CUBA?: The Australian Greens say they are concerned that new anti-terrorism laws being debated in the Senate allow for the "political black-banning" of defence lawyers at terrorism trials.
Lawyer claims Al Qaeda suspect's evidence tainted!
Before returning to Australia last year, Thomas was arrested and held in custody for five months by Pakistani authorities before being released without charge.
Man terrorised by ASIO remanded in 'AA' isolation!
A Victorian man has been remanded in custody after being charged with terrorism offences, including having links to Al Qaeda?
Melbourne man charged over ASIO links
ASIO a know Australian terrorist organization is verballing the community again...about allegations that a man, while living overseas, received funds from Al Qaeda and had close association with the members of the terrorist group.
DING DONG! THE WITCH IS DEAD
A court has been told Joseph Thomas is a sleeper? ZZZ! Melbourne Australia: A court has been told that Osama bin Laden asked a Melbourne man to become a "sleeper" in Australia before undertaking activities for the Al Qaeda network? Munchkins: "Ding Dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch! Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is dead."
AFP: The unlikely CRIMINAL
It was born of a bombing and it made its name after a far more devastating act of terrorism. But for most of the 25 years in between, little was known about the Australian Federal Police force or the work it did.
Mamdouh Habib: Taunted and Tortured!
Four Corners [Walls]: Terrorist - or Taunted by the Australian Defence Force who sacked him as a cleaning contractor? Who is Mamdouh Habib? And why was he harassed by the Australian Federal Police? Then tagged and labelled as a spy? Why was he vilified by the community? When he fled to Pakistan how did he end up being tortured in Egypt? And how did he end up at Guantanamo prison camp reserved for the men America calls "the worst of the worst.
He was an undercover agent for the blues
He was my journalist, he was working undercover. The fellow knew all of the moves.... He really had me romping, bare footing stomping. He just kept igniting my fuse....
Up there Khasali: Innocent man new bail laws
The New South Wales Supreme Court has asked innocent man Bilal Khazal to increase to amount of surety offered, before the bail is formally continued.
HEY! BIG BROTHER? LET INNOCENT PEOPLE GO!
Young men terrorised, tortured, and threatened with charges for no crime by Australia mate the lucky country. Lucky if you're not used for Howard's FEDERAL ELECTION and George Dubya's WAR ON LIBERTY! Who shot liberty? IGNORANCE!
Keelty foresees more terrorism
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Mick Keelty says terrorist groups will continue to find new ways to threaten countries.
Islamic movement denies links to Al Qaeda
The Islamic Youth Movement has denied having any links to Al Qaeda and says it is considering legal action against the Four Corners program. In a statement released early this morning, the group rejects allegations it is helping coordinate any kind of terrorist network inside Australia and says it is being unfairly targeted.
2nd Renaissance -10 The War on Witches [150]
In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued a Papal Bull that became the rationale for establishing the Inquisition in Germany. The following excerpt from the Bull sets out the official view of the danger of witches to the community. The Bull and this this passage provided the sole excuse for the torture and cruel executions that were, ultimately, to be the fate of up to fifty percent of the population of some villages.
