Members of Australian drug law reform group facing jail

Australian system of government denies right to freedom of speech

Tomorrow at 10am in the Darwin Magistrates Court in Northern Australia, Magistrate Dick Wallace will hand down sentences for 5 drug law reform campaigners, Ema Corro, Mick Lambe, Gary Meyerhoff, Rob Inder-smith and Stuart Highway. The 5 were last week found guilty of "deliberately disrupting the legislative assembly whilst it was in session".

The charge, never before used in the Westminster system, was introduced after the actions of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th Century. It has a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment, and the magistrate has advised that a prison sentence will be highly likely.

11 people last year disrupted the proceedings of the N.T Legislative Assembly whilst in session, to protest against the Labor government's Tough on Drugs "drug house" legislation.

One of the defendants Gary Meyerhoff said that "this trial has highlighted the need for a bill of rights in Australia. The NT government, through their Magistrate Dick Wallace has eroded our right to freedom of speech and expression."

"The drug house laws are still in force in the NT and people still risk having 1.2 metre high fluorescent green sign posted on their front door and the prospect of police raids without warrants on a continual basis. Imprisonment will not deter Network Against Prohibition activists and this human rights campaign will continue until the repeal of the drug house legislation and full rights for users of illicit drugs in the NT and beyond."

For further info on the NAP campaign see http://www.napnt.org

To arrange an interview call the NAP office on 61 8 8942 0570 or 0415 16 2525.