Terrorism makes many of us feel insecure and concerned. The images of 9/11 and the Bali bombing, the Howard government's "be alert, not alarmed" campaign, Australian participation in the invasion and occupation of Iraq, and the endless debate between the Howard government and the ALP opposition about Australia's "preparedness in the face of the terrorist threat" — all this can only make us more nervous.
In the name of the "war on terror" — and basing itself on the widespread community fear it has helped whip up — the Howard government has passed legislation extending the powers of its police and secret service agencies, particularly the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Australian Federal Police. These laws, passed in 2002, will be strengthened by a further a "anti-terrorism" bill, soon to be passed by the Senate.
This legislation has been fully backed by the Australian Labor Party.
But we all need to ask ourselves whether we are actually safer with anti-terrorism laws. In particular:
1. How serious is the threat we are facing?
2. Does it justify such strong legislation?
3. Are you aware that, even though these laws have so far been applied only to Australians of Islamic background, they could be used in any case of protest, dissent or industrial action?
4. Do you know that in the name of "homeland security" the government is wiping out many civil rights supported by the federal constitution?
5. Do you know that we can be interrogated by ASIO even if we are not suspected of involvement in terrorism, and that we don't have the right to remain silent? Also that, if we decided to exercise this right, we would risk a penalty of five years in jail?
6. Do you know that even minors (up to 16 years old) are subject to the same treatment as adults?
The Socialist Alliance strongly opposes these laws and demands they be repealed. We also think that these laws reflect an entrenched racism in Australian society and political life. If not, can to be explained that the only people arrested under these laws have been Muslims, and the 17 organisations proscribed as terrorist are linked to Muslim organisations?
The roots of terrorism
The killing of innocent people in the USA, Spain and Indonesia is terrible, but it is no different from the murder of innocent people in Iraq, Palestine or Afghanistan. Yet such deaths get a fraction of the coverage of 9/11 and Bali in the Australian media. Also, it is the occupation of Palestine, the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan and the appalling hunger and poverty in the Third World that has driven some people to take up terrorism.
The Socialist Alliance is completely opposed to terrorism. But we think it is time to ask who the biggest terrorists of all are and who possesses the most developed systems of weapons of mass destruction. The answer is the United States, Britain and Israel.
George Bush, Tony Blair and Ariel Sharon — with the full support of John Howard — are responsible for thousands more deaths than the attacks of 9/11 or Bali. Israel alone has killed more than 3000 Palestinians in the last two years.
Campaign against terror laws
The Socialist Alliance supports and participates in the courageous campaign initiated by the Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network to oppose "anti-terrorism" laws. Along with other civil rights groups such as the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, the UTS Community Law Centre, Civil Right Network Sydney and others, AMCRAN has been at the forefront of telling the Australian people the truth about this legislation.
It is time for us all to act. We have an opportunity with the coming federal election. The Socialist Alliance calls on voters to support all candidates opposed to these laws. We in Australia should follow the example of the people of Spain — throwing out the Howard government for its support for the "war on terror" and involvement in the war on Iraq, and for its war on our civil liberties and democratic freedoms here.
We should then campaign to have the incoming government:
* repeal the Howard government's anti-terrorism laws;
* withdraw all Australian troops from Iraq immediately;
* support the rights of the Palestinian people; and
* massively increase its aid to impoverished Third World countries and peoples.
That would go a long way towards reducing terrorism and allow people in Australia to feel secure again.
Raul Bassi
[The author is a national co-convenor of the Socialist Alliance and its candidate for the federal seat of Blaxland, in western Sydney.]
From Green Left Weekly, September 1, 2004.
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