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New group demands answers for Parkin
Melbourne/Boston, Friday 21 October, 2005: Scott Parkin, the US peace campaigner who was deported from Australia last month after being detained without charge for five days, has welcomed the formation of a new group to advocate on his behalf.
Friends of Scott Parkin are demanding that Federal Attorney General Philip Ruddock provide Mr Parkin with the reasons for his detention and forced removal from Australia. They are also calling for an apology to Mr Parkin, re-instatement of his cancelled visa and provision of compensation.
Mr Parkin, who is travelling through the north-east United States in an effort to make up for the abrupt end to his holiday, welcomed the formation of the group and thanked Australians for their support.
"Stories of my friends and comrades in Australia speaking truth to the power of their Government buoyed me while I was 'detained' in the Melbourne Custody Centre," Mr Parkin said.
"I can't say enough how overwhelmed and honoured I am by this outpouring of support."
Iain Murray, a friend of Mr Parkin's, said that the he and Scott's other Australian friends were concerned that Mr Parkin's treatment breached human rights enshrined under the UN treaty system.
"The precedent set by Scott's case is frightening, not just for overseas visitors, but for all Australian citizens," Mr Murray said.
"You don't need to be a human rights lawyer to know that there's something very wrong with the way Scott has been treated. The very minimum that Mr Ruddock must do is tell Scott exactly what he is alleged to have done to warrant such appalling treatment." The group's website - www.scottparkin.org - provides detailed information on the content of Scott's workshops and video footage of the street theatre protest Scott organised in during the Forbes 500 protest in Sydney.
Mr Parkin has urged Australians to make their voices heard in relation to the proposed new anti-terrorism laws.
"If my expulsion from Australia is an indication of the Australian Governments stance on freedom of speech and the communitys right to peaceful protest, I believe fundamental human rights are under threat should these proposed laws become legislation."
A demonstration against the anti-terrorism laws will be held in Melbourne on Saturday 22nd October, beginning 1pm at Parliament House, Spring Street.