Australians support Haneef, demand review of terror laws

Australians have come out in support of Indian-born doctor Mohammed Haneef at two rallies in Melbourne and Sydney.

Sydney, Aug 4 : Australians have come out in support of Indian-born doctor Mohammed Haneef at two rallies in Melbourne and Sydney.

The rallies were organised to demand a review of terror laws in order to avoid unreasonable denial of liberty to incarcerated individuals like Haneef.

Victorian Green Party Senate candidate Richard Di Natale described the current legislation as a real cause for concern.

"There's no doubt the Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews bungled handling of this case," Di Natale said at the rally in Melbourne.

"But all of the things that have happened, have been allowed under the current legislation, and that's the real cause of worry," he added.

At the Sydney's rally, which was staged outside the Town Hall, speakers called for Andrews' resignation.

"Andrews is guilty of using the media to paint Dr Haneef 'guilty by association' even though there is no basis for any terror charges against the Indian doctor," said Stop the War Coalition spokeswoman Shannon Price.

Refugee activists supporting the rallies called for a judicial inquiry into the conduct of Andrews in the Dr Haneef affair.

NSW Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said that as a starting point terror laws should be changed so that suspects would not be held longer than 24 hours without being charged.

"It doesn't mean you can't continue to investigate. It just means that you need to lay charges to keep holding someone," Senator Nettle said.

"But the first time they are used someone was held for 12 days (without charge) - over 200 hours," Senator Nettle said.

Dr Haneef was arrested on July 2 month following the failed terror attack on Glasgow Airport, and was detained for 12 days without charge.

He was charged with supporting a terrorist organisation but that charge was dropped due to lack of evidence.

Andrews cancelled Haneef's working visa on character grounds just hours after a Brisbane magistrate granted the latter bail.

Dr Haneef has since returned to India, and his preparing to fight his case from Bangalore with the help of his lawyer, Peter Russo.

ANI