Last week I wrote about the need to be vigilant in the face of the new anti- terrorist laws that allow extended detention of terror suspects. I am deeply concerned at the treatment of Dr. Muhamed Haneef. He has now been charged with recklessly supporting terrorism, and his crime? He left a mobile phone SIM card, registered in his name with a charged terrorist he was staying with in the UK, for him to use. His explanation is that he did this so that someone else could take advantage of a deal offered by the service provider.

This action is described in the charge as reckless because his actions are not seen as deliberate or intentional. His wife claims that Haneef offered this information to police on the first day of his arrest. In the following weeks no other evidence could be found of any sinister links he may have had with the charged terrorists in the UK. Authorities fell back on this piece of information to charge him.

Has Australia’s security been compromised? There is no evidence to suggest it has been.

Has Australia’s charter of fairness and justice for all been compromised? The evidence suggests it has been!

Terrorism has struck a blow in Australia and it is against our very core beliefs of a fair go and justice for all. This ought to be of great concern to us all.

Rev. Chris Howard
16th July, 2007