The secret agreement that resulted in David Hicks facing only nine more months in prison may do fatal damage to an already discredited system of dealing with terrorism suspects, legal experts say. The combination of a sentencing deal arranged behind closed doors and the conditions imposed on Hicks, including a year-long gag order and a declaration that he was never tortured, has shown the process to be a political and not legal one, Australian and US observers say.
Robert Richter, QC, one of Australia’s most experienced criminal lawyers and a Hicks supporter, said the trial was a sham that had wholly discredited the Pentagon’s war-crimes process.
“The charade that took place at Guantánamo Bay would have done Stalin’s show trials proud”, Mr Richter said in a commentary for The Sunday Age.
“First there was indefinite detention without charge. Then there was the torture, however the Bush lawyers, including his attorney-general, might choose to describe it. Then there was the extorted confession of guilt.” (MORE)
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/01/245/
Please also see:
Close Guantánamo! homepage (photo source)
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/guantanamobay-index-eng
Robert Richter, QC, one of Australia’s most experienced criminal lawyers and a Hicks supporter, said the trial was a sham that had wholly discredited the Pentagon’s war-crimes process.
“The charade that took place at Guantánamo Bay would have done Stalin’s show trials proud”, Mr Richter said in a commentary for The Sunday Age.
“First there was indefinite detention without charge. Then there was the torture, however the Bush lawyers, including his attorney-general, might choose to describe it. Then there was the extorted confession of guilt.” (MORE)
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/01/245/
Please also see:
Close Guantánamo! homepage (photo source)
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/guantanamobay-index-eng