Forums discuss victims of 'war on terror'

SYDNEY — Speaking at a public meeting on August 25, Rob Stary (pictured), the defence lawyer for Jack Thomas (who was convicted on terrorism charges, but released on appeal on August 13), argued that the federal government has still not provided grounds to justify its draconian "anti-terror" laws. Defence lawyers Philip Boulten and Adam Houda also spoke at the 70-strong forum, organised by the Stop the War Coalition, as did Islamic Friendship Association president Keysar Trad, Palestinian activist Rawan Abdul-Nabi, and former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mamdouh Habib.

On the same evening, Major Michael Mori, the US military's lawyer for Guantanamo Bay prisoner David Hicks, addressed 1100 people at a public meeting in Sydney organised by GetUp. The meeting, the last in national speaking tour by Mori before leaving Australia, was also addressed by Justice John Dowd. Mori said that Hicks could be sentenced to death if legislation before the US Congress for a new military commission system is passed.

From GLW issue 681