Public Shaming of Philip Ruddock - at the Toxteth, Glebe

Public Shaming of Ruddock – at the Toxteth 

Issued by Seekers of Justice 

Protesters will be at the Toxteth Hotel, Glebe, Thursday 10 July 2008 at 6pm to shame Former Immigration Minister and General Attorney Philip Ruddock who will be attending a forum. 

Marlene Obeid, spokesperson for Seekers of Justice, said “Philip Ruddock is a war criminal – a minister of the Howard Government that led Australia into the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq. 

“Ruddock also aided and abetted in the imprisonment of David Hicks by allowing the US army and a ‘kangaroo trial’ to decide the destiny of this Australian man.  

“As a result David spent over six and a half years at the Guantanamo gulag and an extra seven months in an Australian gaol, yet Ruddock is allowed to walk the streets free, unlike David”, Ms Obeid added. 

Fellow protester and Refugee advocate Mark Goudkamp said “As Immigration Minister, Ruddock presided over the imprisonment of refugees, including children. He remains unrepentant for the treatment of people on the Tampa, and for the lies surrounding the children overboard affair. Many of the refugees he caged or turned around at sea were victims of wars in which Australia has had a direct involvement. 

“Incredibly, Mr Ruddock earlier this year suggested he was fit to become the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,” said Goudkamp. 

Ms Obeid and Mr Goudkamp believe that former politicians involved, directly or indirectly, in criminal acts, and/or in the creation of legislation that go in the detriment of any human-being should face a public shaming. 

The Shaming of Ruddock will take place Thursday 10 July 2008 from 6.00pm at the Toxteth Hotel, 345 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (near Wigram Rd – past Glebe Library). Transport: Bus 431, 433 & 370. 

For more information contact Mark on 0422 078 376 or Marlene on 0401 758 871