OUR COMMON CAUSE
We won't be silenced by terror laws
27 September 2008
The Socialist Alliance condemns as unjust the conviction on September 15 of seven of 12 Melbourne Muslim men of belonging to a terrorist organisation.
The definition of belonging to a terrorist organisation under Australia’s so-called anti-terror laws includes “indirectly fostering” a terrorist act. Despite there being no evidence that these men intended to harm anyone or damage property — the only evidence for this claim was provided by a “witness” who was discredited by the presiding judge — the jury decided that simply talking to each other was “indirectly fostering” terrorism.
This trial and verdict highlights the dangers in laws that define terrorism so broadly that they infringe basic freedoms. Given the hysteria about terrorism that is being promoted by governments and media worldwide, there is a strong possibility that such infringements on human rights will be broadened even further in the future.
The corporate media played a central role in the outcomes of the Melbourne case, screaming continually since the arrest of the 12 men that an imminent terrorist attack had been prevented. This ruled out the possibility of a fair trial from the start.
Both the previous Coalition and current Labor federal governments have been determined to convict as many people as possible under the laws in order to justify their introduction against extensive criticism by legal professionals, and anti-war and human rights activists. The ongoing harassment of Mohammed Haneef, Jack Thomas and Mamdouh Habib attests to the virulence of this campaign.
The “anti-terror” laws are designed not to prevent terrorist attacks, but to silence dissent to imperialism’s wars for oil, and to intimidate and scapegoat the Muslim and Middle Eastern communities in Australia. Already the laws have been used to try to prevent public protests, against the visits to Sydney by warmonger George Bush last September and conservative Pope Benedict XVI in July.
The assault on free speech and free association has been carried into the work force. Construction workers are threatened with jail terms if they refuse to answer questions from the federal government’s Australian Building and Construction Commission; trade unionists have no right to silence.
Meanwhile, there is mounting evidence of the Australian military’s violence against the people of Afghanistan. Australian troops have kept Afghan prisoners in dog pens and are playing a central role in reinforcing the occupation of that country that has already killed (and tortured) thousands of people.
The Socialist Alliance condemns all terrorist acts. The targeting of innocent civilians is horrendous and unjustifiable.
But there is a fundamental difference between discussing political and religious beliefs, suicide bombings or even how to make a bomb, and actually carrying out terrorism.
It is hypocritical for a government that supports the bombing of densely populated areas in the Middle East to accuse others of terrorism.
The Socialist Alliance joins with all those who refuse to be intimidated and silenced by the government’s “anti-terror” laws and propaganda.
We will continue to demand and build the movement for the immediate withdrawal of all Australian military personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Australian government’s participation in the inhumane and illegal war on the Iraqi people and its wholehearted support for imperialism’s war of terror is creating more, not less, terrorism.
We will continue to defend the right of all people to full freedom of speech and association, and oppose the banning of any organisation by the Australian government.
We will continue to campaign for the repeal of all federal and state anti-terror laws in Australia.
