Senator Andrew Bartlett
Saturday, January 29, 2005
 
it sure aint justice
In amongst all the coverage about the return home of Mamdouh Habib, it is worth remembering the plight of Peter Qasim, a man locked up by the Australian Government for well over six years. Like Mr Habib, he has not been charged with any crime. Unlike Mr Habib, there is no suggestion that he has any links to terrorism at all or is in someway a threat public health or safety.

Peter Qasim has said he is willing to be deported to his country of origin or anywhere else, but no other country will take him. So he stays locked up indefinitely with no end in sight. Sadly its totally legal, but it sure aint justice.

Adele Horin's article in today's SMH says it as well as anyone can. If you think the principle of our Govt treating a person this way is OK, just remember one day it could be you or one of your family.

I will be visiting Baxter detention centre again this coming week, meeting with a number of detainees including some of the Sri Lankans and Iranians who were on hunger strikes towards the end of last year - to thank them for ending their strike, to encourage them not to despair and to hear some of their individual stories.

posted by Andrew Bartlett @ Saturday, January 29, 2005 Permalink
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