So yesterday a 600-page report was released by the US Senate analysing and detailing the techniques and effectiveness of the CIA‘s “enhanced interrogation” (read: torture) methods used on terror suspects held captive in the notorious Guantanamo Bay facility. The report, as to be expected, did not paint a particularly pretty picture. Constant waterboarding, sleep deprivation, forced enemas, and sensory bombardment. These are now known to be fact.
What’s also known to be fact is that for five-and-a-half years, an Australian man by the name of David Hicks was held captive in Guantanamo Bay and subjected to these interrogation tactics (again, tortured).
Hicks and his supporters have long insisted that the – at the time – Howard Government had to have known about the mistreatment that occurred within the facility, and lambasted its inaction in providing assistance to a citizen during his time held prisoner.
Fast forward to last night, and the Human Rights Awards ceremony in Sydney, at which current Attorney-General George Brandis was a keynote speaker. As his address wrapped up, Hicks – who was in attendance – made his presence known.
His initial remark, muffled a bit by the sound of obligatory applause and crowd noise, was as follows.
“Hey, my name is David Hicks. I was tortured in Guantanamo Bay for five-and-a-half years in full knowledge of your party. What do you have to say?“
Though Brandis, in something that he’s making a bit of a habit out of, didn’t bother to stick around to address the query. ‘Course, y’know, it was also a keynote address and note a Q&A session, too. But still, the point remains.
It should also be noted that during his address, Brandis trumpeted the Abbott Government‘s decision to release all children currently held on Christmas Island before Christmas Day, and all children currently held in detention will be released in the coming few months.
A nice gesture, absolutely. But let’s not forget the fact that it was something the Government has always had the power to do – the move in this instance was made as a bargaining chip in exchange for senate votes to push the extraordinarily controversial at best – morally contemptible at worst – refugee legislation through Parliament that gives Immigration Minister Scott Morrison untold and unheard of power.
Hicks’ reaction to Brandis’ hasty exit just about covers everything that needs to be said on the issue.
“He’s run away. It’s too late. He’s gone.“
Tell ’em, Dave.
Photo: Quinn Rooney via Getty Images.
