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I am writing to express my great concern for the well being of fellow Australians, David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib who are currently being held by the US military in camp X-ray, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
I am aware that these men are kept in small cells, that they are allowed little exercise and have been cut off from direct contact with the outside world, including from their Australian legal counsel.
They have been held without charge since their capture. In David's case, he has been held in these conditions now for 20 months.
I am aware also that these men have been subjected to ongoing interrogation by US military, Australian Federal police and ASIO since their capture.
These men have been unlawfully detained in breach of all the norms of international law including the Geneva Conventions parts 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights advocates against arbitrary detention. Both Australia and the US are signatories to this.
While the court cases of suspected Bali bombers have been made public, you have not spoken out for the same privileges to be afforded to two of your own citizens.
Other countries have campaigned stridently for the release of their citizens, however, Australia's efforts have been minimal in comparison.
David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib must be afforded due process and be returned immediately to Australia to be charged and tried under the eye of the Australian public. If they cannot be charged, they must be released.
Unless this occurs, you will be seen as aiding and abetting the US in their unlawful detention of these two Australians and putting Australia's relationship with the US before the interests of its own people.
The Hon John Howard, PM
Prime Minister of Australia
Send an email at: http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm or fax: (02) 9251 5454
The Hon Alexander Downer, MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
a.downer.mp@aph.gov.au
The Hon Daryl Williams AM, QC
Attorney General
daryl.williams.mp@aph.gov.au
Senator the Hon Chris Ellison
Minister for Justice and Customs
senator.ellison@aph.gov.au
The Hon John Anderson MP
Deputy Prime Minister
john.anderson.mp@aph.gov.au
