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Adelaide Rally 'Bring David Hicks Home!'
9 Dec 2006

Thousands have rallied in several cities all around Australia to call for the release of David Hicks from detention in Guantanamo Bay [Cuba]. The rallies were organised by the committee of the Fair Go for David Campaign and supported by a number of human rights organisations, including; Foreign Prisoner Support Service, Amnesty International and Get UP!

David Hicks has been languishing in Gitmo for five years without any trial. More than 500 supporters gathered in sweltering 41 degree heat at Victoria Square in Adelaide, many of them holding balloons and placards with the words "Bring David Home". Members from the community, human rights and human interest groups participated to call for the release of David Hicks. Among them were representatives from; Fair Go For David Campaign, Amnesty International, Foreign Prisoner Support Service, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Quakers, Australian Peace Committee, Greens, South Australian Unions, Get Up, Frances Bedford MP for Florey, Australian Democrats, Socialist Alliance, No War, 3D Radio, Radio Adelaide and Catholic Social Justice Committee.

Speakers and special guests included; Brian Deegan [Father of Josh Deegan killed in Bali Bombing], Mem Fox [Author], Professor Leon Lack (Psychology Flinders University), Katie Wood [Amnesty], Musician Peter Combe, Terry Hicks, Stephen Kenny [lawyer] and Ahmed Aziz Rafiq [former prisoner of Abu Grahib].

International Human Rights Advocate Kay Danes gave an emotional speech. Ms Danes is a former political prisoner of communist Laos, who was unlawfully detained ten months in primitive conditions, before being pardoned as a result of strong diplomatic negotiations.

Ms Danes, who was clearly affected by the sight of shackled actors re-enacting the conditions of David Hicks' detainment, spoke determinedly through tears.

"I hope that every single one of you here today has a reaction. I hope that you stop and look at these people shackled with hoods over their faces and understand that that truly is a reality." "
David Hicks has been labelled a terrorist but of course, no one really knows what David may or may not have done. He's been hidden behind a wall of diplomacy and secrecy and who in this country cares? Who cares about his family and what they might be going through? "

"I have learned that what matters more than guilt or innocence, is that each of us, no matter where we are or who we are, must have the right to defend ourselves in an open and fair trial, and not be silenced or sentenced by a court or a government that changes the rules to suit its own purpose. UN mandates are designed to offer protections for citizens of the world but when it suits a government to ignore these mandates, to which they are a signatory to, then how can anyone feel safe? Even Saddam Hussein, for all the atrocities he has committed over the years against the people of Iraq, is given a trial, seemingly one in which he could at least voice objections. Why is David Hicks given less than that? Why does our Government allow his rights to be so violated? "

"We can no longer think that only bad things happen to bad people. You cannot think that what happened to me and my family or what's happening to David Hicks and his family is something that can never happen to you and yours, because it can."

"No matter what the situation, we absolutely must have the right to have our most basic human rights upheld, the right to be treated with dignity, to have our legal rights defended by our government when clearly they are violated, and the right to be judged in an open and transparent civil court where evidence is submitted and the rule of law upheld. After all, the right to a fair trial is an essential right in all countries respecting the rule of law. "

"None of us is above the law. It's time to bring David Hicks home!" said Kay.



MP3 File
Kay Danes speaks about David Hicks
Produced by Jess Haynes
MP3 Audio File
Kay Danes is someone who knows what its like to be held in a foreign jail without charge. In the year 2000 she and her husband Kerry were arrested in Laos. Today Kay's on her way to Adelaide to lend her support to the 'Release David Hicks' campaign.

Adelaide remembers David Hicks
David was born in Elizabeth, South Australia, in 1975. He worked as a jackeroo in the Northern Territory [Australia] and studied at the Katherine Rural College, after which he went to Japan to train racehorses.

Worried by the reported massacres in Kosovo in 1999, David travelled to Yugoslavia, but arrived after the fighting was over. He then went to Pakistan to study at various theological colleges.

He travelled to Afghanistan and after some months decided to return to Australia. At the Pakistan border he realised he had left his passport behind and returned in a taxi to retrieve it. The taxi driver had a cousin connected with the Northern Alliance and David was captured by them as he left the taxi. A few weeks later the Northern Alliance sold David to the Americans, who had just invaded Afghanistan.

After some weeks of brutal interrogation David was flown to Guantanamo Bay, where he has now been held for 5 years.

In 2004 David was charged with various offences, but in June 2006 the US Supreme Court declared that the Military Commission under which David was to be tried was illegal. There are currently no charges against David, and he has not breached any International law, nor Australian nor Afghan law. In the 5 years that David has been held prisoner, no evidence of any wrongdoing has been shown.

Adelaide Rally Photo Gallery

'Bring David Hicks Home' says one supporter. A sentiment shared by all who attended the rally.

Kay Danes, Terry Hicks [David's father] and former Abu Grahib prisoner, Australian Ahmed Aziz Rafiq who was detained by US forces in Iraq for more than a year without being charged.

Australian lawyer Stephen Kenny introducing former Abu Grahib Prisoner, Australian Ahmed Aziz Rafiq who knows first hand what it is like to be falsely accused and detained without charge. Ref:here
Over 500 Adelaide Supporters Rally to bring David Hicks Home!

David's father, Terry Hicks, shows tremendous courage and strength as he quietly calls for justice!

A minute silence with hands raised for every year David Hicks remains in solitary - five long years!

Former ABC Radio Announcer Charles Southwood acts as MC to the Rally.

Fair Go For David Campaigner, Bronwyn Mewett, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the Rally's success.
More details on the National Rally can be found at: https://www.fairgofordavid.org
FREEDOM IS A RIGHT OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS IN A WORLD WHERE LIFE IS VALUED AND PEACE MAY FINALLY BE A POSSABILITY
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