No charges for killer cops

Jim McIlroy
Magan-djin/Brisbane
March 26, 2011
Issue 
874
News

"There are two systems of justice in Queensland: one to protect the police service, and another to crush Aboriginal people," Sam Watson, Murri community leader, told a rally outside State Parliament in Brisbane on March 23.

More than 50 people gathered to protest the decision of the Queensland Police Service and the Criminal Misconduct Commission (CMC) not to lay any charges against six police officers involved in the cover-up of the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee in November 2004 on Palm Island.

The rally was called around the demands: "No more deaths in custody. Justice for Mulrunji Doomadgee. Justice for all victims of watchhouse murders. The CMC has sold us out. The police have to be held to account and Do we need another Royal Commission?”

"If the CMC and Queensland Parliament thinks this is the end of the matter, they're wrong," Watson said.

"[Senior Sergeant] Chris Hurley must be charged again, this time before a fair judge and jury. Until a police officer is actually convicted of a crime, the police have a licence to terrorise, brutalise and kill Aboriginal people in this state.

"We must mount a political campaign to have Chris Hurley charged again and convicted," Watson added.

Other speakers condemned the system, which allows police to operate with impunity, and called for full self-determination for the Aboriginal people of Australia.

Chairperson Reverend Alex Gator said, “They might have won the battle, but we will win the war.”

Indigenous
Australia

Comments

Anonymous replied on

Yet another addition to the roll call of injustice in Australia. A defenceless young man brutalised by the same state machine that subsequently exonerates those who carry out violence on its behalf. What a disgrace. As a so-called Anglo Australian, I would like to pass on to Sam Watson and others courageously seeking to redress this travesty the words of hope offered by Julian Burnside QC to those defending Julian Assange against state brutality - "Never give up, never give up, never give up."

Anonymous replied on

The rally focus on the Death on Palm Island of Mr Doomadjee and fact that no one has been charged confirms my view there is one law for Aboriginal people and another for the rest of the country. Australia is branded as this most racist country in the world at present and this is not somnething to be proud. I commend the Premier of Qld for her compassion shown during the recent Qld floods, but I wish she displayed similar compassion to her Aboriginal victims of a Police force out of control. She cannot just Govern for white people only. Aboriginal people have rights and are members of the Australian community however it is apparent that Govts in Qld like in the NT, WA and SA don't regard Aboriginal people as citizens. Neil E Gillespie Adelaide SA

Anonymous replied on

I am a Dr in the QHealth system. My consultant was on the review panel of the injuries incurred upon Mr Domadgee. He was utterly appalled at the significance of his injuries. I quote " his liver was ruptured and the force that would be needed to inflict that type of injury is conducive to a high speed motor vehicle accident. Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley- tells us he fell over. All this evidence was submitted and yet we cannot charge any man for this crime. Who defends the defenseless??? Not in QLD. Dr Anonymous

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