Torture lawsuit on the cards
I doubt any Americans have heard of this story, so unless you have this is probably just for the Aussies. Tune out now if you are easily confused by foreign mutterings.
The imminent release of Habib by the US military has created a few small problems for our beloved leader. With his release the door is now open for charges of wrongful imprisonment to be launched through the courts against the US government. The failure of such actions is nigh-on guaranteed, particularly with the Howard government's upcoming control over the Senate. But when it reaches the High Court, can anyone really predict which way the justices are going to go? Of course Michael Kirby will probably favour Habib, but as for the others I'm not so sure. Will the political precedent of suing foreign governments in domestic courts prove a sticking block? Or will evidence appear and allow a challenge to be conducted?
Personally I'm going to be following the matter with some interest, and I have a feeling David Hick's family and lawyers are too. It'll be interesting to see also just how public opinion will fall on this matter as well. Will Australians feel guilty for the imprisonment for three years without trial and with possible torture? My guess is no, but regardless of the outcome the media is going to have a field day.
At the moment the ball is in Habib's court. How he plays it will have a significant effect on the future of the War on Terror in Australia for the next few years. Stay tuned, fellow patriots. Perhaps our beloved leader will be forced to act to protect his fellow countrymen. Perhaps not. But it's going to provide plentiful essay material for me over the next year or so, so I hope it drags on for a while yet.