REVIEW BY BEN COURTICE
Justice For Jack: the real story behind the 'Jihad Jack' case
By Stefan Markworth
Available from <http://www.justice4jack.com>
While many are familiar with the case of David Hicks, currently held by the US at the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, this touching film highlights one of many other people detained and charged under the Orwellian laws brought in by governments waging "war on terror".
New York Film and Video Festival award-winning independent film-maker Stefan Markworth has put together an engaging and moving documentary that paints the human dimension of Jack Thomas' trial on "terrorist" charges.
The film doesn't delve into the legal details of the case, other than a short slideshow-like option on the DVD that lists 10 undisputed facts. This allows us to focus on aspects that in a normal court case might seem like political point-scoring and innuendo, but in this case really bring home the human cost of the fear campaigns in the "war on terror".
After being arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2003, held there and questioned, returned to Australia without charge, then arrested 18 months later (with no new evidence) and held in solitary confinement for three months, Jack Thomas has certainly had a rough ride. And so has his family.
Why suddenly re-arrest Thomas after so much time? What does it mean for the Australian public? Interviews with Rob Stary, Thomas's lawyer, and Brian Walters of Liberty Victoria canvas some of the possible reasons, and the frightening legal implications of this case. Intimidation and scapegoating feature as prominent themes in the discussion that follows, as does the precedent of using evidence from interviews conducted without legal representation and after allegations of torture have been made. On the first day of one court hearing, police raided 3CR community radio for an interview they conducted with Stary.
And if we are in any doubt as to the effect of intimidation upon the Thomas family, extended interviews with Jack, his parents, family and friends make it clear. Thomas's parents were forced to leave their house for eight months to avoid media, after the police had raided their house and arrested Jack with media in tow. The family held fundraising lunches in Werribee (Jack is a chef) to help cover the legal costs, which Jack's brother Les describes as "crushing the family financially". The psychological wear caused by the constant stress is also described by various friends.
The DVD also features a speech by Dr Tim Anderson, who was framed and jailed for the 1979 Hilton Hotel bombing in Sydney. Lastly, the 10-point fact sheet slideshow makes a good backdrop for anyone planning a discussion, talk or public screening of the film. The DVD is available for $15 from < http://www.justice4jack.com> or by phoning Les on 0409 399 429.
From Green Left Weekly, October 12, 2005.
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