Let's give David Hicks a fair trial and make sure we find him guilty

Photo: Just before Christmas I came across this demonstration held in support of a fair trial for David Hicks

David Hicks, the Australian captured in Afghanistan by invading US military, has appeared before a specially convened military commission, after five years of being held in the US concentration camp at Guantanamo Bay, without charge and without trial,

After five years of America's red-neck justice system, constantly changing rules and moving goal posts, Hicks pleaded guilty to the charge of providing material support for terrorism.

The initial hearing was immediately thrown into disarray when the judge effectively disqualified two of his three lawyers. They refused to allow conversations with their client to be monitored.

Specification one of the charge detailed Hicks's links to terrorist organisations and his activities in Afghanistan where he met the CIA trained Osama bin Laden. and completed al-Qaeda training courses.

Specification two simply alleges that Hicks entered Afghanistan from about December 2000 to December 2001 to provide support for terrorism and that he did so in "the context of and was associated with an armed conflict namely al-Qaeda, or its associated forces against the United States or its coalition partners".

Australians across the board have been disgusted with America's treatment of Hicks, and also with the lack of assistance offered to an Australian citizen by George Bush's old friend and conspirator, John Howard - even though the Australian government has consistently admitted that he has committed no crime under which he could be tried under Australian law.

It is only recently that sensing the possible loss of an election, that the Australian government has finally spoken out against the illegal treatment of an Australian who has been forced to grow his hair to hide his eyes from the 24/7 lights in his cell.

Recently a replica of the cell was displayed in Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that "passers-by who entered the cramped, florescent-lit, white-walled structure, which was set up in Martin Place today by human rights organisation Amnesty International, described the experience as traumatising".T

he Herald reported, "the replica cell is modelled on a photograph released by the US Department of Defence late last year showing where Mr Hicks spends more 22 hours a day".

Truly this is justice the American Way

.In a recent poll, Australians were asked if they thought Hicks would get a fair trial. Over 88 per cent said "no". That is how little faith we have in the US justice system. The system under which Hicks is being tried is little more than a lynch mob. Give him a fair trial, find him guilty and hang the goddam son of a bitch.

Australians do not defend Hicks - but they do ask that he be given a fair trial.

If America really wants to convict war criminals, there is one to be found at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C.