Aussie legal body seeks review of decision on Haneef

UK terror plot: Being treated fairly; it is not an issue about racism, but about terrorism, says Australian envoy John McCarthy

A Top legal body in Australia on Thursday sought a review of Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews’ decision to revoke the visa of Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef, charged in connection with a failed UK terror plot, even as Australian High Commissioner to India John McCarthy said “its (Australia’s) legal proceedings are tough but the process is fair”.

In a letter to Attorney General Philip Ruddock, the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) called for the review of Andrews’ decision and also argued that Haneef’s lawyer Stephen Keim did not act illegally when he released to media the first police interview of his client.

“From the advice I have received Keim has not acted illegally when he released the transcript to the media,” an ALA statement quoted its president Ian Brown as saying.

In the letter to Ruddock, the ALA commended Keim’s action and described him as “a person of great integrity”. “The suggestion that Keim’s action was a contempt, or somehow prejudiced or delayed the fair trial of his client is nonsense,” it read.

“If anything, it assisted to mitigate the prejudice caused by selective leaks of parts of the transcript and prejudicial statements about Haneef, including those by Andrews,” the letter said.

“The transcript undoubtedly will be an exhibit in any committal proceedings—as first law officer you must have known these things when you unfairly branded Keim’s actions unethical, and suggested that the transcript’s release may delay Haneef’s trial,” it said.

“If you are truly concerned about delay in Haneef’s trial, we suggest that you ask Minister Andrews to stop making prejudicial statements about Haneef, and review his decision to send Haneef to Villawood Detention Centre, where he will be effectively deprived of Keim’s capable representation,” it said.

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Meanwhile, in New Delhi, McCarthy insisted in TV interviews that there was “not a hint of racism” in the way Haneef was being dealt with in connection with the failed terror bombings in the UK.

“The legislation under which we are proceeding may appear tough. It is tough. It is anti-terrorism legislation,” he said, adding, “but the process is fair”. Justifying the action against Haneef, he said it was “not an issue about racism, it’s an issue about terrorism.” “Haneef was being treated fairly,” he added.

Haneef, held on July 2 in Brisbane in connection with the UK terror plot, was released on bail by a court there on Monday but Australian authorities invoked immigration laws to keep him in detention.

India has conveyed its concerns to Australia over Haneef issue and asked it to treat him “fairly and justly”. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too said on Wednesday that Australia should give all facilities under law to Haneef.