I'm Not Ok, Says Letter, But Downer Knows Better

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday February 1, 2007

Tom Allard

THE Australian Government has insisted David Hicks was in "good" mental shape, even though the US has rejected its bid for an independent assessment of the long-term Guantanamo Bay inmate.

Mr Hicks yesterday refused to meet an Australian consular official, saying he continually alerts them to problems with his health and his living conditions but nothing is done.

"I am not well, I am not OK and yet you have not done anything for me and the [Australian Government] keeps saying I'm fine and in an acceptable situation," he said in a letter handed to the official, John McAnaulty.

But the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, said Mr Hicks was examined on Monday by a US military psychiatrist. "His mental health was good, although he was 'frustrated'," Mr Downer said in a statement.

He added that on the previous two visits by consular officials, Mr Hicks had said he was fit and well and had not complained about being "punished" for raising complaints.

His comments came as the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, reiterated his backing of sleep deprivation being used on detainees.

Mr Downer did not disclose that Australia had asked for an independent medical assessment of Mr Hicks but been rebuffed by the US, a fact later revealed by his department in response to questions.

Mr Ruddock said he had no problem with the US refusal and denied there was any conflict of interest with US military doctors examining a person claiming to be suffering because of the actions of its military. "It's a question of sovereignty. If the US were to say 'no, we won't have an independent assessment', it would be their prerogative."

Mr Ruddock also confirmed his support for sleep deprivation being used on prisoners, a view at odds with the practices of the Australian military.

"My view is that sleep deprivation per se is not necessarily torture or coercive. It depends upon what you do additionally," he said.

"People respond to detention in different ways," Mr Ruddock said in Sydney yesterday. "Some people don't handle it well."

Mr Ruddock said Mr Hicks had not been subject to near drowning, which could be done to people held at Guantanamo.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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