Rendition of Mamdouh Habib discussed: documents
Natalie O’Brien; 23/5/08
Senior government officials have admitted discussing the possibility of “another government” transferring Mamdouh Habib to Egypt after his arrest in Pakistan, despite later denials that they knew he was going to be flown to the North African country, where prisoners are known to be tortured. Documents tabled in parliament yesterday show for the first time the potential for a transfer was discussed at a meeting in Canberra in late October 2001. Present at the meeting were senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, ASIO, the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General’s Department. The officials agreed at the meeting “that the Australian Government could not agree to the transfer of Mr Habib toEgypt”. It has never been publicly admitted before that senior government officials knew of and discussed the possibility of Mr Habib being sent to Egypt before he disappeared from Pakistani custody in early November 2001.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23744310-2702,00.html?from=public_rss
Guantanamo defenders should hang their heads
Richard Ackland; 23/5/08
I wonder if, in the time-out room of their souls, the former government’s doughty little foot soldiers of freedom feel the odd shiver of embarrassment or shame. The extent to which Messrs Howard, Ruddock and Downer were prepared to subvert some sacred principles might have brought normal mortals unstitched. But by all appearances they have kept their chins up and their rectitude unexamined. The principle that they nearly wrestled to the ground and choked to death was that of the “fair trial”.
Tags: Australia, Guantanamo Bay, Habib, Rendition, Torture, USA