1.02.2007
McDade Condemns Hicks's Legal Treatment (ABC.net.au)
Tuesday, January 2, 2007. 10:43am (AEDT)
Australia's first director of military prosecutions says she is appalled at the legal treatment of Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks.
Brigadier Lynette McDade is due to move to Canberra from her home in the Northern Territory in the next few weeks.
There she will establish her office in the run up to Australia's first permanent military court.
She says her independence is key to her position and says no one, including the top military brass, should be offended by her calling for justice for Mr Hicks - who has been held at Guantanamo Bay for more than five years.
"It is too long. Nobody should be held without trial in custody for that long, nobody, and if we did that you can imagine the hue and cry," she said.
"Whether it's David Hicks or anybody else, I don't believe anyone should be disentitled to a fair and quick trial.
"If you are accused, allegations are made against you in relation to the commission to any type of offending.
"As far as I'm concerned you should be brought to trial as quickly as possible."
Mr Hicks's father, Terry Hicks, has welcomed Brigadier McDade's comments.
But he fears it will have little effect.
(More ... ABC > News)
Australia's first director of military prosecutions says she is appalled at the legal treatment of Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks.
Brigadier Lynette McDade is due to move to Canberra from her home in the Northern Territory in the next few weeks.
There she will establish her office in the run up to Australia's first permanent military court.
She says her independence is key to her position and says no one, including the top military brass, should be offended by her calling for justice for Mr Hicks - who has been held at Guantanamo Bay for more than five years.
"It is too long. Nobody should be held without trial in custody for that long, nobody, and if we did that you can imagine the hue and cry," she said.
"Whether it's David Hicks or anybody else, I don't believe anyone should be disentitled to a fair and quick trial.
"If you are accused, allegations are made against you in relation to the commission to any type of offending.
"As far as I'm concerned you should be brought to trial as quickly as possible."
Mr Hicks's father, Terry Hicks, has welcomed Brigadier McDade's comments.
But he fears it will have little effect.
(More ... ABC > News)
Labels: ABC (Aus), Guantanamo
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