The question of complicity with torture

"Few Australians will have heard about an extraordinary meeting involving some of the nation's most powerful government figures held at the Attorney-General Departmentin Canberra on October 23, 2001. Perhaps more should know that it concerned the possible torture of this Australian citizen." quote from Age article: Turning a blind eye to torture.

The Rudd Government has an opportunity to make it very clear that this Government opposes the torture of its citizens and that it will ensure consequences for those complicit in the USA's abominable behaviour. Again, from the article: "Now the Rudd Government has the opportunity to set the record straight, to reveal what really happened at that 2001 spring meeting in Canberra. This will not be the last time Australia faces critical security issues. It's time to act to ensure that torture is never again part of the response."

We need to make it clear to our Government that we expect it to act in the interests of human rights for all people and that we will not accept 'wishy washy' opposition that implies acceptance. Our Government acts in our name, so, unless we tell our Government NOT to comply, we are responsible. Our record is not so good (e.g., the Indonesian invasion of East Timor). Short-term solutions that include compliance with human rights abuses need to have consequences. To our shame, we knew our Government was implicated in the treatment of 'prisoners' in US custody and did not send the message at the ballot box that it was unacceptable - quite the contrary.

We now need to hold those Government officials who were responsible - and ourselves - to account. This is essential if we are to clear a path to better behaviour in the future. It can't be excused, it shouldn't be covered up; human rights abuses need to be exposed to the light of day. It is up to the citizens of all countries to instruct their Governments and, while many Governments torture and kill their own people for speaking out, we are in the very fortunate position of having power to expect ours to listen - if enough of us speak out and speak loudly enough to be heard.

You can't protect your way of life by destroying the principles on which it depends. Tell the Government that we're not complicit with torture and we expect to have full disclosure, as well as compensation for victims - whether we 'like' those victims or not.