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Thought crimes and double standards

Posted by: Michael Smith Blog | 10 October, 2008 - 11:04 AM

The Queensland parliament held a minute's silence when the convicted Australian drug trafficker Van Nguyen was hanged in a Singapore jail.

On 19 July this year the foreign minister Stephen Smith spoke out in support of the ABC journalist Peter Lloyd arrested on drugs charges in Singapore, saying, "as I indicated yesterday, I'll of course be travelling and visiting Singapore next week, and I will discuss first-hand with Australian officials Mr Lloyd's circumstances so as to ensure that all appropriate advice and assistance that can be rendered to him in these circumstances is occurring, and that also includes his family, and liaison with the ABC." - link

Today an Australian citizen is languishing in a British jail and not a peep out of our government.

That Australian citizen, Gerald Toben has been accused of a "thought crime" by a foreign government. He is a well-known holocaust denier. I don't agree with his views - but he is entitled to every protection as an Australian citizen and he doesn't seem to be getting much attention - certainly not as much as Van Nguyen did in the Queensland Parliament or Stephen Lloyd is getting from the Rudd Government.

Gerald Toben lives in Adelaide. He has a web-site that contains conspiracy theories about the Holocaust. This is not a crime in Australia. He is wanted in Germany where denying or playing down the Nazi slaughter of Jews is a crime.

Dr Toben was on board a plane during a trip between the US and Dubai. The plane transited in Heathrow. Police entered the plane and arrested him on the German charges. He's currently in a British jail awaiting extradition to Germany.

He is guilty of no crime in Australia. Where is the outcry from the Australian Government? Where is the support for our citizen? I hear nothing - is it because they are afraid of offending Jewish people. I don't agree with Toben's views - I get inundated here with the conspiracy theories he spouts - but I will fight to defend his right to free speech.

He is a political prisoner in another country and our government is doing precious little to help him or to let you know about it.

Blog comments

Sorry, I see and have seen the misery and pain these people who smuggle drugs cause for their own greed. Alternately, if you use drugs in another country, and know the laws, problem belongs to you.
It is clearly stated (I travel and an expat) by the airlines, especially BA and Qantas what the penalties are in certain countries. I sympathise with these peoples families but none for their fate, which they bring upon themselves.
They don't care about anyone else or the collateral damage they cause in their actions. When youÃ¢Â€Â™re in another country, you are at the mercy of their laws; itÃ¢Â€Â™s your obligation to respect those when visiting their country, as much as it is when they visit our country, our laws are less severe.

warren reid Sunday 12 October, 2008 - 5:54 PM
Sorry Smithy although I agree with a lot of your comments I have to disagree with the Australian Government assisting people that go out of their way to ignore the Laws of the Country they are visiting.
Because Australia has failed to adequately punish Law breakers in Australia does not mean we have the right to condemn other countries for respecting and enforcing their Laws, It's time these stupid arrogant morons get the punishment they deserve and if they don't get it here then good on the countries that give it to them

Gayle Monday 13 October, 2008 - 9:39 AM
The latest on Anna Bligh's denial comes as no surprise.
How often have we heard furfies over the past ten years from Queensland's Labor Government.
We have to remember that Anna learnt from the master of mis direction and his reward courtesy of the Master's apprentice was a cushy well paid job in the US. I wonder what her reward will be when she is booted as leader if the Labor Government gets back in here, rest assured it will cost us dearly.

Gayle Friday 17 October, 2008 - 3:13 PM
A minute silence for a convicted criminal that tried to bring drugs and its associated misery into our country for his own personal gratification.
I thought that such respect was only reserved for those who perished in the fields of battle to keep our country free from such evils.
I think I'll continue to reserve my minutes silence for our fallen heros.

Wayne Tuesday 28 October, 2008 - 10:09 AM
Typical of the warped people in the Labor Govt. Since when do conviCted drug dealers deserve a minute's silence in our Parliament. What a mockery of our laws and people.

G. Batten Sunday 2 November, 2008 - 7:25 PM