Fed: Haneef deserves "unreserved apology": Greens

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2008
Fed: Haneef deserves "unreserved apology": Greens

CANBERRA, Dec 23 AAP - Mohamed Haneef deserves an "unreserved" apology from the federal
government, former prime minister John Howard and his ministers over the bungled case
surrounding his arrest, say the Greens.

The inquiry into Dr Haneef's arrest on terrorism-related charges was released in Sydney
on Tuesday.

It found that he should not have been charged and the cancellation of his visa and
deportation should have been deferred.

"An innocent man was wrongly detained and deported, and his treatment by the Australian
government throughout the whole affair was a failure of our legal, ethical and moral standards,"

Greens senator Scott Ludlam said in a statement.

An independent review of Australia's anti-terrorism legislation was "desperately needed",
Senator Ludlam said.

"Some of these laws are draconian. They need to have a use-by date or be repealed immediately
because they are inconsistent with our obligations under human rights instruments."

AAP srj/kms/it

KEYWORD: HANEEF GREENS

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