Margot Giblin
One fifteen year old boy said it was a desire to support justice and work against violations of human rights around the world that had moved him to join the school group. His same aged friend agreed, adding his interest in doing something to help society.
Amnesty International
Orange Friday No 5
8.15am
Cnr Murray/Macquarie Sts. Hobart
30.3.07
The mood amongst the banner holders, placard carriers and leaflet givers was more buoyant than at past Orange Fridays, despite the rain. This was partly due to recent movement towards a resolution of David Hicks’ situation in Guantanomo Bay.
The energy level was also heightened by nine students, donned in symbolic orange clothes, from grades 9 and 10 at Hobart’s Sacred Heart School.
Michael Connelly, co-ordinator of the school’s Amnesty group said the students were also supporting a program for the removal of land mines.
One fifteen year old boy said it was a desire to support justice and work against violations of human rights around the world that had moved him to join the school group. His same aged friend agreed, adding his interest in doing something to help society.
Amnesty International’s interest is in the protection of human rights. David Hicks hearing and the plea bargain which saw him having to convince the court of his guilt hadn’t changed this.
Nor said Clare Wiseman, Tasmanian Branch President of Amnesty International, had it done anything to reduce the acrimony of public debate on the issue — it has just shifted the focus.
Hick’s motive for agreeing to a guilty plea has replaced whether he was getting fair treatment.
Amnesty’s view is that despite being given a hearing, Hicks is still being denied justice.
They intend to continue to ask for this, an end to the use of torture and for the closure of Guantanomo Bay.
