"On the day the federal government overturned some of our most fundamental democratic freedoms such as (a) people being innocent until proven guilty and (b) ensuring courts determine who is imprisoned rather than governments, a Senate Committee hearing was being held in Canberra into legislation to implement the government's new citizenship test.
That's the test where migrants have to show they understand basic Australian values such as democracy, the rule of law and a fair go before they are allowed to become a citizen."
"I believe it is important to show strong support at this time for upholding our basic right to live freely in a democratic society, not cowed by an ever-present threat of being caught up in guilt by association and trial by insinuation."
- Senator Andrew Bartlett - Australian Democrats 17/07/07
Monday, July 16, 2007
Howard Government at it again...
I've been positively fuming for several weeks. Ever since the Anti-Terrorism laws were enacted, I have feared for the day they would be used. It's only 23 years late, but the road to 1984 is here...
Dr. Mohammed Haneef was arrested (without charge) following the failed terrorist plots/attempts in the UK at the end of last month. Of course, he actually had nothing to do with the attack, but merely suffered from having a cousin involved. Okay, more than that: his cousin was in possession of his British sim-card.
Now here's the thing: I have cousins I detest. I have cousins I seldom talk to. If one of my cousins committed a crime, I doubt I would have any knowledge of it. I do know, though, that if I were leaving a country, and one of my cousins needed a sim-card, I would give it to them. I never realised that this was a crime! In fact, I'm guilty of this already: my ex-flatmate took my sim-card after I left Poland to return to Aus. Don't send me to Villawood, please!!
These charges were completely without grounds, and Dr. Haneef's detention prior to them was unconstitutional. One of the things that makes this country great is the rule of law; we haveequality before the law...just as long as you aren't of middle-eastern descent, or even just of dark complexion! And there is no such thing as innocent until proven guilty, not when public hysteria is on the line.
This whole event smacks of fear-mongering. If Dr. Haneef were white, this would not even be an issue. But he LOOKS like he could be a terrorist, so he's GOT TO BE ONE!
Hopefully the Australian public sees through this latest attempt at winning an election. We've got to raise our voices and let Canberra know: We're not as stupid as you think we are!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Dr. Mohammed Haneef was arrested (without charge) following the failed terrorist plots/attempts in the UK at the end of last month. Of course, he actually had nothing to do with the attack, but merely suffered from having a cousin involved. Okay, more than that: his cousin was in possession of his British sim-card.
Now here's the thing: I have cousins I detest. I have cousins I seldom talk to. If one of my cousins committed a crime, I doubt I would have any knowledge of it. I do know, though, that if I were leaving a country, and one of my cousins needed a sim-card, I would give it to them. I never realised that this was a crime! In fact, I'm guilty of this already: my ex-flatmate took my sim-card after I left Poland to return to Aus. Don't send me to Villawood, please!!
These charges were completely without grounds, and Dr. Haneef's detention prior to them was unconstitutional. One of the things that makes this country great is the rule of law; we haveequality before the law...just as long as you aren't of middle-eastern descent, or even just of dark complexion! And there is no such thing as innocent until proven guilty, not when public hysteria is on the line.
This whole event smacks of fear-mongering. If Dr. Haneef were white, this would not even be an issue. But he LOOKS like he could be a terrorist, so he's GOT TO BE ONE!
Hopefully the Australian public sees through this latest attempt at winning an election. We've got to raise our voices and let Canberra know: We're not as stupid as you think we are!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Dr. Mohammed Haneef's Australian Visa Revoked
Sorry for the length of this, but it's all so important I could barely cut it...This is what pushed me over the edge, from The Australian:
Mark Dodd July 16, 2007
IMMIGRATION and Citizenship Minister Kevin Andrews this afternoon cancelled the visa of 27-year-old Gold Coast Dr Mohamed Haneef.
Mr Andrews said the decision to cancel the visa was made on the grounds of ''national interest.''
Australian Federal Police would issue a Criminal Justice Certificate against Dr Haneef that would pave the way for him to be transferred to Sydney's Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, he said.
Haneef faces a charge of supporting terrorism and had been granted bail by Brisbane magistrate Jacqui Payne earlier today.
''Today I've exercised my powers under the Migration Act to cancel the visa of Dr Mohamed Haneef.
''Section 501 of the Migration Act provides for the cancellation of the visa where a person fails the character test.
''Based on information and advice I've received from the Australian Federal Police I reasonably suspect Dr Haneef has had an association with persons involved in criminal conduct namely terrorism,'' he said.
The decision and the issuing of the AFP certificate means Dr Haneef will have to remain in detention.
He can appeal to the immigration department to have the decision revoked or to the Federal Court.
Mr Andrews denied he was preempting court proceedings against Dr Haneef who is charged with supporting terrorism in connection with foiled attacks in London and Glasgow on the 29th and 30th of June.
He said he had cancelled Haneef's visa after determining, under immigration law, that Haneef had failed the immigration character test by having an association with people involved in criminal activity, he told reporters at a media conference in Canberra.
''This is simply a matter of me looking at the responsibilities that I have under the migration legislation. Then making a decision,'' Mr Andrews said.
''It happens on a regular basis where somebody is judged not to pass the character test,'' he said.
Mr Andrews's decision has gezumped the court determination this morning by Ms Payne who granted Haneef bail after effectively making an opposite determination to Mr Andrews.
Ms Payne had said there was no evidence to suggest Haneef had any direct association with a terrorist organisation, or that the SIM card he had given to the brother of one of the accused UK bombers had been used in a terrorist attack.
---------------
But Mr Andrews' decision has rendered the Brisbane Magistrates' Court determination as redundant.
Mr Andrews said he had a responsibility under the Migration Act to be strict on Haneef.
''I have a responsibility and a duty as minister under the act to turn my mind to the question of whether Dr Haneef passes the character test,'' he said.
''In turning my mind to the information and advice provided to me by the Australian Federal Police, I have come to the conclusion I reasonably suspect that Dr Haneef has or has had an association with persons involved in criminal conduct.''
Dr Haneef, 27, was employed as a registrar at Gold Coast Hospital when he was arrested, and was charged with supporting terrorism in connection with the failed car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow last month.
It has been alleged that in the United Kingdom in May last year, Dr Haneef gave a mobile phone SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed.
The card was allegedly found in the jeep driven by Ahmed's brother Kafeel that was used in the attack on Glasgow airport.
Haneef was facing eviction from his apartment, and yesterday he had been stood down from his job as a hospital registrar by Queensland Health until all court proceedings are completed.
Ms Payne had listed eight reasons for granting bail, including the fact that prosecutors did not allege that Haneef had been directly involved with a terror group.
The charge against Haneef had centred on the fact that a mobile phone SIM card in his name was found in the possession of a cousin, Kafeel Ahmed, when he allegedly drove a flaming jeep into Glasgow Airport on June 30.
Haneef has reportedly admitted that before leaving England to work in Australia last year he gave his SIM card to Ahmed's brother Sabeel.
Sabeel Ahmed, 26, was charged in Britain over the weekend for withholding information on terrorism, and was due to appear in court for a preliminary hearing today.
Among her reasons for granting bail, Payne had said Haneef's SIM card had not been used in relation to the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow last month.
She also cited Haneef's good employment record, his lack of a criminal history, and the fact that he was employed as a doctor.
Haneef is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court again on August 31.
The charge against him -- providing ''reckless'' support to a terrorist organisation -- carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Haneef was arrested on July 2 as he attempted to board a flight to India on a one-way ticket. He said he was leaving to visit his wife and a newborn baby.
---------------
Before Mr Andrews had acted, Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile today had said the granting of bail to Haneef was not a setback for authorities.
Mr Vaile said bail arrangements were a matter for the court to to decide.
''I don't think that the workings of the legal system in Australia can be classed as a setback,'' Mr Vaile told reporters in Canberra.
''It's not up to us to pass comment on the decisions the court takes.''
It is understood Haneef's wife, Firdous, had been making arrangements to fly to Queensland to see her husband before Mr Andrews acted. With AP/AAP/AFP
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22081603-601,00.html
(emphasis added)
Mr. Andrews, quit the crap.
Enough Is Enough
Mark Dodd July 16, 2007
IMMIGRATION and Citizenship Minister Kevin Andrews this afternoon cancelled the visa of 27-year-old Gold Coast Dr Mohamed Haneef.
Mr Andrews said the decision to cancel the visa was made on the grounds of ''national interest.''
Australian Federal Police would issue a Criminal Justice Certificate against Dr Haneef that would pave the way for him to be transferred to Sydney's Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, he said.
Haneef faces a charge of supporting terrorism and had been granted bail by Brisbane magistrate Jacqui Payne earlier today.
''Today I've exercised my powers under the Migration Act to cancel the visa of Dr Mohamed Haneef.
''Section 501 of the Migration Act provides for the cancellation of the visa where a person fails the character test.
''Based on information and advice I've received from the Australian Federal Police I reasonably suspect Dr Haneef has had an association with persons involved in criminal conduct namely terrorism,'' he said.
The decision and the issuing of the AFP certificate means Dr Haneef will have to remain in detention.
He can appeal to the immigration department to have the decision revoked or to the Federal Court.
Mr Andrews denied he was preempting court proceedings against Dr Haneef who is charged with supporting terrorism in connection with foiled attacks in London and Glasgow on the 29th and 30th of June.
He said he had cancelled Haneef's visa after determining, under immigration law, that Haneef had failed the immigration character test by having an association with people involved in criminal activity, he told reporters at a media conference in Canberra.
''This is simply a matter of me looking at the responsibilities that I have under the migration legislation. Then making a decision,'' Mr Andrews said.
''It happens on a regular basis where somebody is judged not to pass the character test,'' he said.
Mr Andrews's decision has gezumped the court determination this morning by Ms Payne who granted Haneef bail after effectively making an opposite determination to Mr Andrews.
Ms Payne had said there was no evidence to suggest Haneef had any direct association with a terrorist organisation, or that the SIM card he had given to the brother of one of the accused UK bombers had been used in a terrorist attack.
---------------
But Mr Andrews' decision has rendered the Brisbane Magistrates' Court determination as redundant.
Mr Andrews said he had a responsibility under the Migration Act to be strict on Haneef.
''I have a responsibility and a duty as minister under the act to turn my mind to the question of whether Dr Haneef passes the character test,'' he said.
''In turning my mind to the information and advice provided to me by the Australian Federal Police, I have come to the conclusion I reasonably suspect that Dr Haneef has or has had an association with persons involved in criminal conduct.''
Dr Haneef, 27, was employed as a registrar at Gold Coast Hospital when he was arrested, and was charged with supporting terrorism in connection with the failed car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow last month.
It has been alleged that in the United Kingdom in May last year, Dr Haneef gave a mobile phone SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed.
The card was allegedly found in the jeep driven by Ahmed's brother Kafeel that was used in the attack on Glasgow airport.
Haneef was facing eviction from his apartment, and yesterday he had been stood down from his job as a hospital registrar by Queensland Health until all court proceedings are completed.
Ms Payne had listed eight reasons for granting bail, including the fact that prosecutors did not allege that Haneef had been directly involved with a terror group.
The charge against Haneef had centred on the fact that a mobile phone SIM card in his name was found in the possession of a cousin, Kafeel Ahmed, when he allegedly drove a flaming jeep into Glasgow Airport on June 30.
Haneef has reportedly admitted that before leaving England to work in Australia last year he gave his SIM card to Ahmed's brother Sabeel.
Sabeel Ahmed, 26, was charged in Britain over the weekend for withholding information on terrorism, and was due to appear in court for a preliminary hearing today.
Among her reasons for granting bail, Payne had said Haneef's SIM card had not been used in relation to the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow last month.
She also cited Haneef's good employment record, his lack of a criminal history, and the fact that he was employed as a doctor.
Haneef is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court again on August 31.
The charge against him -- providing ''reckless'' support to a terrorist organisation -- carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Haneef was arrested on July 2 as he attempted to board a flight to India on a one-way ticket. He said he was leaving to visit his wife and a newborn baby.
---------------
Before Mr Andrews had acted, Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile today had said the granting of bail to Haneef was not a setback for authorities.
Mr Vaile said bail arrangements were a matter for the court to to decide.
''I don't think that the workings of the legal system in Australia can be classed as a setback,'' Mr Vaile told reporters in Canberra.
''It's not up to us to pass comment on the decisions the court takes.''
It is understood Haneef's wife, Firdous, had been making arrangements to fly to Queensland to see her husband before Mr Andrews acted. With AP/AAP/AFP
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22081603-601,00.html
(emphasis added)
Mr. Andrews, quit the crap.
Enough Is Enough
New Australian Political Blog
I've given in...I've started a blog.
This whole situation with Dr. Haneef has pushed me over the edge, and I can't take it anymore.
The Howard Government shows utter disdain and contempt for such 'trivial things' as the Constitution, the Rule of Law, Human Rights, the list goes on...
Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world. But we won't be for much longer unless something changes...
Enough is Enough.
This whole situation with Dr. Haneef has pushed me over the edge, and I can't take it anymore.
The Howard Government shows utter disdain and contempt for such 'trivial things' as the Constitution, the Rule of Law, Human Rights, the list goes on...
Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world. But we won't be for much longer unless something changes...
Enough is Enough.
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