Protecting our human security and protecting human rights are inherently linked. We live in a time where governments are using fear as a political tool – fear of the hordes of asylum seekers, fear of those who are different, fear of the other. The threat of terrorism is real and must be addressed by governments, but, the world does not become a safer place when human rights – such as freedom from torture – are no longer sacrosanct, and when the right to a fair trial can be compromised in the name of security.
For five years David Hicks was denied his basic human rights. The majority of Australians were horrified that it had taken this long for him to receive a "fair go". The Australian Government was indifferent.