Terrorist laws to lock up objectors (Australia)

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Terrorist laws to lock up objectors (AU) 15 Oct 2005

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 03:13:36 -0400

 

 

 

 

" Terrorist laws to lock up objectors 15 Oct 2005 (AU) Supporting the

resistance movement in Iraq, Afghanistan or any country where

Australian troops are deployed could carry a penalty of seven years'

jail under the Prime Minister's new terrorism laws. The changes also

allow for control orders of unlimited duration, secret preventive

detention, the monitoring of lawyers, and life imprisonment for

funding terrorist organisations... New sedition offences will put big

constraints on anti-war protests and come down hard on those

advocating violence against any religious, national or political

group. Detentions are secret but suspects are allowed to contact a

family member or employers to say they are safe but, " not able to be

contacted for the time being " . If they disclose the detention they can

be jailed for up to five years. "

- Citizens for Legitimate Government (CLG)

 

 

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/terrorist-laws-to-lock-up-objectors/2005/10/\

14/1128796712300.html?oneclick=true

 

Terrorist laws to lock up objectors

By Marian Wilkinson, David Marr and Joseph Kerr

October 15, 2005

 

Supporting the insurgency in Iraq, Afghanistan or any country where

Australian troops are deployed could carry a penalty of seven years'

jail under the Prime Minister's new terrorism laws.

 

The changes also allow for control orders of unlimited duration,

secret preventive detention, the monitoring of lawyers, and life

imprisonment for funding terrorist organisations.

 

The draft legislation, disclosed by by Greens yesterday, details the

far-reaching security regime proposed by John Howard for " very

dangerous and difficult and threatening circumstances " in the wake of

the London bombings.

 

New sedition offences will put big constraints on anti-war protests,

familiar since the Vietnam era, and come down hard on those advocating

violence against any religious, national or political group.

 

Those charged with sedition can argue they were acting " in good faith "

but it is unclear how the courts will interpret this.

 

The bill sets out new federal police powers to detain terrorist

suspects for up to 24 hours, and up to 48 hours with the approval of a

judge or magistrate. Suspects will get access to a lawyer to challenge

the detention order in a court or complain of maltreatment.

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Police do not need to give suspects or their lawyers reasons for the

detentions and can monitor lawyers. All conversations lawyers have

with their clients must be in English or translated into English for

the police. Police are prohibited from questioning the detainees but

that ban does not apply to ASIO officers.

 

Last month the states agreed to allow extensions of up to 14 days for

detentions when a terrorist act is believed imminent. The suspect must

then be released if no terrorist act occurs.

 

Detentions are secret but suspects are allowed to contact a family

member or employers to say they are safe but, " not able to be

contacted for the time being " . If they disclose the detention they can

be jailed for up to five years.

 

Under the bill, the Government can apply to a court for control orders

on terrorist suspects who have not been charged. These orders include

house arrest, preventing them using the telephone or internet and

restricting their social contacts and work opportunities. Suspects can

also be fitted with tracking devices.

 

The suspect's lawyer can be shown the control order but not

necessarily the evidence or reasons behind it.

 

The orders can last up to 12 months and can then be renewed any number

of times.

 

Persons under control orders may be given " counselling or education "

if they agree.

 

The bill does limit to three months control orders on those aged

between 16 and 18.

 

Also contained in the legislation are wide-ranging search powers that

will compel the production of any documents relating to " any serious

offence " , regardless of any laws protecting privacy or legal privilege.,

 

The new laws are to be debated this month, after the Labor premiers

agreed to their broad outline at the recent terrorism summit in Canberra.

 

The proposed laws have been strongly criticised by human rights

lawyers and some Muslim leaders, who have described them as draconian.

 

The premiers and Mr Howard insist the new laws contain sufficient

safeguards to ensure they are not abused.