Media release: Johnny's brave new world.

Members of the Northern Territory's Network Against Prohibition are outraged at the announcement from John Howard of his plan to quarantine the welfare payments of drug offenders, but this shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone in the Northern Territory.

We are often used by Government departments as a test case for new schemes. With our small population, they figure less people will be adversely affected if they get it wrong.

With the recent Federal intervention into Aboriginal affairs came the beginning of the quarantine test.

It is now planned to extend the scheme to drug offenders Australia wide.

The Network Against Prohibition supports the following statement from the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL), the national organisation representing people who use or have used illicit drugs "This proposal is unfair and inequitable. It is based on the politics of exclusion" said Ms Louise Grant, AIVL's President. "All of the candidates in this federal election, including the Government have talked about the importance of creating an inclusive community but this announcement by the Federal Government is the exact opposite of this. It is targeting some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our community and seeking to make their lives much harder at the worst possible time".

Both research evidence and experience show that punitive legal measures have almost no impact when it comes to preventing continued illicit drug use among people convicted of drug related offences. "The announcement by the Prime Minister will not stop people using illicit drugs, it will simply mean that people will be forced to take even more risks than they currently do to obtain money for their drug use" Ms Grant stated.

Spokesperson for the Network Against Prohibition, Robert Fyffe said, "Who's next? Single mothers? Old Age and Disability pensioners (to stop them blowing all their money on the pokies)?"

"Eventually, everyone who's financially dependent on the Government welfare system will be subject to a level of scrutiny that should not be acceptable in a civilized society." he added.

Quarantine of welfare should only be available as a voluntary option for welfare recipients who wish to make use of the scheme as part of their own self-control program. It should not be enforced discriminatorily on any sector of the population.

This is all part of John Howard's Americanisation of the Australian system.

Do we really want to take the lead from the USA on such socially divisive policy?

The Darwin-based Network Against Prohibition is calling on drug law-reform activists around the country to work together to rid Australia of the Coalition scourge.

This Government CAN NOT be allowed to run another term.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on (08) 8941 9921

Bitter-sweet win for activists.

The Network Against Prohibition had a bitter-sweet victory in the Northern Territory Supreme Court yesterday, after its appeal against sentencing was upheld by Justice Southwood.

Two of the last four “parliament invaders” of May, 2002, Ema Birkeland-Corro and Stuart Highway, had their five-month jail terms reduced and fully suspended.

But the other two, Rob Inder-Smith and Michael Ishmael Lambe, must serve a month.

While Highway and Corro walked free, the NAP regards conditions imposed upon them by Justice Southwood as harsh and unfair.

They are not allowed to associate with each other, or their co-appellants, for two years. In January, 2006, Chief Justice Brian Martin made a similar demand of another one of the nine people who walked into the NT Legislative Assembly, Scott White.

White’s sentence was also suspended.

The non-violent protest, staged by NAP to oppose the Martin Government’s widely discredited US-drafted “Drug House” laws, was described by then Speaker Lorraine Braham as an invasion.
Though not the first time the NT Parliament has been disrupted, it was the first time charges have been laid.

NAP says the case began as a political trial and degenerated into farce, when the NT Government pursued the activists through the higher courts as they represented themselves during successive appeals.

The result would have left NAP’s founder, Gary Meyerhoff, with mixed emotions. Meyerhoff, who passed away last October with an AIDS-related illness, was also gaoled for his role in the parliamentary walk-in, and maintained that the charge - intentionally disrupting the Legislative Assembly while it was in progress - was trumped-up and politically motivated.

He said it was laid because it embarrassed the Martin Labor Government.

Outside the court, Inder-Smith said he was relieved for Highway and Corro, but added that they should never have been charged.

“We were simply trying to prevent the commission of a wrongful act,” Inder-Smith, 47, said. Referring to an apology mooted by Justice Southwood last week, but rejected by he and Highway, Inder-Smith said it was the NT Government that should be apologising for “their stupid drug laws”.

The trial was a milestone in NT criminal justice history.

Soon after NAP’s formation in 2002, a series of well-publicised “actions” incurred the wrath of police, politicians and the judiciary, who responded by laying more than 120 criminal charges, most of which were either dismissed or unsuccessful. They included “failing to cease to loiter”, “bill pasting” and “criminal damage”.

Meyerhoff was subjected to threats of violence by the police, one of whom told him during a drug raid on somebody’s flat that he was lucky they didn’t give him a “flogging” every time they came across him.

About the same time, the Ombudsman issued a stinging report stating that the 27-year-old had been wrongfully arrested during his group’s first “smoke-in”, in Raintree Park, staged to publicise human rights and the Drug House laws.

At the tumultuous sixth smoke-in, in October, 2002, police disrupted a peaceful demonstration, making five arrests.

Highway served three months in Berrimah in 2005-06 for his alleged role in the affray.

White and Inder-Smith were harassed one night by a police van that tailed them during a 30-minute drive through the eastern suburbs that included a bizarre five-lap chase through the two Nightcliff round-abouts.

When both vehicles were parked, Inder-Smith approached the driver of the police van to ask why they were being pursued.

He says the driver wound up his window and drove off.

In November, 2004, while free on bail, he, Highway and Meyerhoff were arrested late at night and wrongfully gaoled for two days because of a Supreme Court clerical error.

The trio tried to seek compensation but then Attorney-General Peter Toyne refused, telling them to await the outcome of the trial.

Justice Southwood said he would take this into account when handing down his final re-sentencing of Mr Inder-Smith on Tuesday, February 27.

Legally, the case has been historic for several reasons.

Not only is it one of the longest-running in NT history, its political nature has grave significance for political and human rights activists.

Before the Magistrates Court began in October, 2002, the defendants pulled off a coup by successfully summonsing nine of the sitting members, including chief Minister Clare Martin, her deputy Syd Stirling and Mr Toyne, who were forced into the witness box to be cross-examined.

Their repeated claims that the protesters had “run” into and through the legislative chamber were contradicted by the Parliamentary video of the incident, prompting Ms Martin to apologise to NAP in court for exaggerating her evidence.

For Highway and Corro, yesterday was the end of a stressful five years that has seen them harassed by police and hauled through the courts for their human rights beliefs.

Inder-Smith said he was considering an appeal in the trial that has almost universally been ignored by the interstate media.

Judgment looms for LA four

The last four "parliament invaders" will know next Monday (Feb19) if they are to be jailed for storming the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on May 14, 2002.

Yesterday morning in the NT Supreme Court, Justice Southwood watched the video tape of the incident, in which 10 activists walked into the chamber holding placards, and disrupted proceedings for five minutes. The media described the action as an "invasion".

The previous day, defence lawyers argued that the five-month jail terms given to the four, Ema Birkeland-Corro, Stuart Highway and Rob Inder-Smith and Michael Lambe, in Darwin Magistrates Court in 2003, were excessively harsh.

The four others who were also charged escaped jail time by pleading guilty.

A ninth man, Gary Meyerhoff, who had been the driving force behind thegroup's legal activities, died last October from an AIDS-related illness.

The defendants are members of the revolutionary human rights group the Network Against Prohibition, which Meyerhoff formed in March, 2002.

In court, Meyerhoff was described as charismatic, energetic and inspiring, and that his "time was limited”.

Media Alert: Protesters to face court

THE last four “parliament invaders” of 2002 will have their final day in court on Monday (Feb 12) when Justice Trevor Riley hears argument for why they should not be jailed.

Northern Territory Legal Aid lawyer Ian Read will tell the Northern Territory Supreme Court that the defendants have not re-offended since they and six others stormed the NT Legislative Assembly while it was in session, and that they are not a threat to the community.

Appealing against their sentences will be Stuart Highway, Rob Inder-Smith and Ema Birkeland-Corro.

On May 14, 2002, the four and six others smuggled placards into parliament and disrupted debate for about five minutes to protest the widely discredited “Drug House” legislation, which was being passed.

The parliament invasion, as the press labeled it, resulted in tighter security at Parliament House. All the activists were found guilty in Darwin Magistrates Court later that year, with most being dealt with by Magistrate Dick Wallace.

Self-represented, Highway and Inder-Smith - members of the controversial, revolutionary drug law-reform group the Network Against Prohibition - exhausted their avenues of appeal late last year when they tried unsuccessfully to have their case taken to the High Court of Australia.

The four had pleaded not guilty on the grounds that the Magistrate’s Court could not hear the charge, intentionally disturbing the Legislative Assembly while it is in session.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years’ jail. It was Queensland's equivalent of the same law, Section 61a, that Premier Peter Beattie criticised in his parliament last year.

The four charged in the Territory were given jail terms of up to five months. A fifth co-defendant, the NAP’s founder Gary Meyerhoff, died last October of an AIDS-related illness, in Perth.

Meyerhoff, who had been driving NAP's legal defence, was wrongfully imprisoned with Highway and Inder-Smith for two days after an administration error in late 2004, while they were free on bail and while the appeals process was still in train.

The trio demanded to be compensated but Attorney-General Peter Toyne refused and told them to await the outcome of the hearing.

They had appealed the original decision in the NT Court of Appeal before Justice David Angel and then the Full Bench.

The case, one of the longest-running in NT history, has been closely watched by the legal fraternity which was shocked that Magistrate Wallace should impose jail terms.

A sixth man, Scott Richard White, who moved to Tasmania soon after the alleged offence, was given a fully suspended sentence by Chief Justice Brian Martin last year.

The accused say the charge was politically motivated because of the embarrassment their protest caused the Martin Labor Government. The embarrassment was heightened when the NAP succeeded in getting nine sitting members, including Chief Minister Clare Martin, into the witness dock. Also cross-examined by the activists were Toyne and deputy Chief Minister Syd Sterling.

Highway served three months in Berrimah in 2005/06 for allegedly smashing a police van windscreen at the notorious “sixth smoke-in” in Raintree Park. Because Mr Riley was Highway’s sentencing judge, the group sought to have him stand himself down.

But Mr Read says they are insufficient grounds and that Monday’s hearing will go ahead.

He said the crime did not warrant jail time.

Since its formation in March, 2002, NAP has faced more than 100 charges, most of which were either dismissed or returned not-guilty findings

Early last year, Darwin City Council pursued Meyerhoff into the Supreme Court, where he unsuccessfully tried to beat a charge of criminal damage caused by bill-pasting.

Media Alert: Bali executions, Toyne in spotlight.

The six young Australians facing death by firing squad in Indonesia, and Northern Territory Attorney-General Peter Toyne, were the focus of a rally in Darwin’s Raintree Park yesterday.

The four latest Aussies on death row in Indonesia – the youngest 19, the eldest 23 - learned earlier this week that they would be executed for trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin from Bali to Australia.

Rally organiser Fiona Clarke, of the drug law-reform group the Network Against Prohibition, said that because the Australian Federal Police instigated the investigation into the Bali Nine, Australia should have a role in deciding the ultimate outcome of the case.

“The penalty is barbaric. Excessive punishment, even where the offender knew of the likely penalty, is unfair. Every Australian should be calling on the government to intervene immediately,” Ms Clarke told the rally.

“These are six young people who made a mistake, a mistake which the AFP allowed to continue to its deadly conclusion. Death by firing-squad for these young Australian is nothing more than judicial mass-murder.”

The arrests were made after the father of 20-year-old Scott Rush, one of the four who originally received a life sentence that has now been upgraded to the death penalty on appeal, told the AFP that he suspected his son was smuggling drugs.

Another NAP member criticised outgoing Health Minister Peter Toyne, who he said was a “failure” because of the controversial “Drug House” Legislation he introduced in 2002.

The spokesman said Toyne’s legislation had failed to halt the supply or availability of illicit substances in the NT.

“All Toyne succeeded in doing was dragging Darwin into the War on Drugs, and having 65-year-old grandmother Margot Laughton jailed after she was set up by a plainclothes cop,” he said.

“Toyne should not be allowed to slink off into the shadows with his parliamentary pension.”

The rally was the NAP’s 29^th Smoke-in for Human Rights and the 30th Smoke-in, the last for the year will be on November 11.

Media Alert: Protest over shock Bali decision

THE last four “parliament invaders” of 2002 will have their final day in court on Monday (Feb 12) when Justice Trevor Riley hears argument for why they should not be jailed.

Northern Territory Legal Aid lawyer Ian Read will tell the Northern Territory Supreme Court that the defendants have not re-offended since they and six others stormed the NT Legislative Assembly while it was in session, and that they are not a threat to the community.

Appealing against their sentences will be Stuart Highway, Rob Inder-Smith and Ema Birkeland-Corro.

On May 14, 2002, the four and six others smuggled placards into parliament and disrupted debate for about five minutes to protest the widely discredited “Drug House” legislation, which was being passed.

The parliament invasion, as the press labeled it, resulted in tighter security at Parliament House. All the activists were found guilty in Darwin Magistrates Court later that year, with most being dealt with by Magistrate Dick Wallace.

Self-represented, Highway and Inder-Smith - members of the controversial, revolutionary drug law-reform group the Network Against Prohibition - exhausted their avenues of appeal late last year when they tried unsuccessfully to have their case taken to the High Court of Australia.

The four had pleaded not guilty on the grounds that the Magistrate’s Court could not hear the charge, intentionally disturbing the Legislative Assembly while it is in session.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years’ jail. It was Queensland's equivalent of the same law, Section 61a, that Premier Peter Beattie criticised in his parliament last year.

The four charged in the Territory were given jail terms of up to five months. A fifth co-defendant, the NAP’s founder Gary Meyerhoff, died last October of an AIDS-related illness, in Perth.

Meyerhoff, who had been driving NAP's legal defence, was wrongfully imprisoned with Highway and Inder-Smith for two days after an administration error in late 2004, while they were free on bail and while the appeals process was still in train.

The trio demanded to be compensated but Attorney-General Peter Toyne refused and told them to await the outcome of the hearing.

They had appealed the original decision in the NT Court of Appeal before Justice David Angel and then the Full Bench.

The case, one of the longest-running in NT history, has been closely watched by the legal fraternity which was shocked that Magistrate Wallace should impose jail terms.

A sixth man, Scott Richard White, who moved to Tasmania soon after the alleged offence, was given a fully suspended sentence by Chief Justice Brian Martin last year.

The accused say the charge was politically motivated because of the embarrassment their protest caused the Martin Labor Government. The embarrassment was heightened when the NAP succeeded in getting nine sitting members, including Chief Minister Clare Martin, into the witness dock. Also cross-examined by the activists were Toyne and deputy Chief Minister Syd Sterling.

Highway served three months in Berrimah in 2005/06 for allegedly smashing a police van windscreen at the notorious “sixth smoke-in” in Raintree Park. Because Mr Riley was Highway’s sentencing judge, the group sought to have him stand himself down.

But Mr Read says they are insufficient grounds and that Monday’s hearing will go ahead.

He said the crime did not warrant jail time.

Since its formation in March, 2002, NAP has faced more than 100 charges, most of which were either dismissed or returned not-guilty findings

Early last year, Darwin City Council pursued Meyerhoff into the Supreme Court, where he unsuccessfully tried to beat a charge of criminal damage caused by bill-pasting.

Media Alert: Activists in High Court bid

Three Darwin drug law-reform activists have lodged an appeal against their conviction in the "parliament invasion" case with the High Court of Australia.

Network Against Prohibition trio Gary Meyerhoff, Stuart Highway and Robert Inder-Smith were given jail terms by Magistrate Dick Wallace in May, 2003, but have been free on bail pending appeals in the Northern Territory Supreme Court.

Justice David Angel dismissed their appeal against conviction last September and Chief Justice Brian Martin, and Justices Thomas and Mildren, rejected their Full Bench appeal earlier this year.

The "Napatistas" as they become known, have based their HC appeal on six points. Included is the claim that the Magistrate's Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case, and that Mr Wallace's bias against them was "overwhelming".

As well, they say the charge, of intentionally disturbing the NT Legislative Assembly while it was in session, is an infringement on free speech and access to government, "as implied in the Australian Constitution".

Appellant Gary Meyerhoff, who founded NAP in March, 2002, said: "We will argue that Section 61 of the NT Criminal Code, under which we were charged, is invalid.

"We believe that we should never have been convicted and that Justice Angel, as well as the Full Bench, erred in rejecting our appeals.

"We want the conviction quashed."

The three were among a group of nine people who walked into parliament on May 14, 2002, to protest the widely-discredited "Drug House" legislation being passed at the time.

They waved placards and argued with MPs before three, Meyerhoff, Inder-Smith and another protestor, Ema Birkeland Corro, climbed onto the speakers table.

They left five minutes later.

Next day's press labelled the incident an "invasion".

The ensuing magistrate's court hearing lasted two weeks and cost the NT tax-payer tens of thousands of dollars.

In what is believed to be a first, they represented themselves and successfully summonsed and cross-examined senior NT politicians including Chief Minister Clare Martin, Attorney-General Peter Toyne and Deputy Chief Minister Syd Stirling.

NAP is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and human rights of illicit drug users as well as the rights of those in developing countries who rely on opium, coca and cannabis for their survival.

For more information, contact NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas).

Media Alert: Highway triumphant

Darwin activist Stuart Highway has become the latest Network Against Prohibition member to win an NT Supreme Court appeal.

At a brief hearing earlier today, Stuart appeared before Justice Southwood to appeal against a decision handed down in Darwin Magistrates Court last year, in which he was convicted of trespass and jailed by Magistrate John Lowndes.

But Justice Southwood quashed the decision and the fully suspended 21-day jail term.

It means that costs of nearly $600 have also been set aside.

The announcement was a huge victory for Stuart and a reward for perseverance.

Outside court he said he was glad he had proceeded with the appeal as a matter of principle.

The case – which stems from a protest at a 2004 visit to Darwin by Prime Minister John Howard – threatened to drag on when Justice Southwood ordered a retrial.

But the prosecution protested, saying it would be too expensive and that all parties agreed the matter should be dropped completely.

Stuart’s co-accused, anti-nuclear activist Justin Tutty, was ordered to do 32 hours of community work, but earlier this year beat the same charge.

Stuart filed a victims of crime assistance application, alleging assault by one of the arresting police officers, Roger D’Souza.

The application was rejected by Vince Luppino SM.

Stuart’s fellow NAPNT members, Ema Corro and Rob Inder-Smith, have also successfully appealed in the NT Supreme Court.

Stuart, who served three months in Berrimah Prison recently, faces jail again for his role in NAPNT’s Parliament action of May 2002. Stuart and other NAPNT members are currently seeking leave to appeal their convictions in this matter in the High Court of Australia.

For more information call NAPNT on 0415 162 525 (+61415162525 from overseas)

Media Alert: NAP Appeal Dismissed

The appeal lodged by Network Against Prohibition (NAP) “Parliament Invaders” Gary Meyerhoff, Rob Inder-Smith and Stuart Highway in the NT Court of Appeal, has been dismissed.

The trio learned of the dismissal late today.

The charges arose from May 14, 2002, when a group of people associated with the Darwin-based drug law-reform group invaded the chamber of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly whilst it was in session.

The action was a protest at the NT Government’s ‘drug house’ legislation.

After a 16-day hearing in the Darwin Magistrates court, a number of NAPNT members were given severe sentences, including terms of imprisonment.

After an appeal was rejected by Justice David Angel in the NT Supreme Court on 17 September 2004 the three NAPNT members took their appeal before three justices of the NT Court of Appeal, Chief Justice Martin and Justices Mildren and Thomas.

The Napatistas now plan to take their appeal to the High Court.

Undeterred by the decision, NAP are holding their 27th Smoke-In for Human Rights tomorrow, Sat, 13 May, 2006 in Darwin’s Raintree Park at noon.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas).

Media Alert: NAPNT's birthday in the park

Tomorrow, Sat, 11 March, 2006, the Network Against Prohibition NT (NAPNT) will celebrate 4 years since its inception at a "Smoke-In" in Raintree Park.

The Smoke-In for Human Rights has become a regular NAPNT event, this being the 26th one held and the first for 2006.

The Smoke-Ins began in 2002 as a form of protest against the Labor government's draconian drug-house laws and as an expression of human rights.

NAPNT spokesperson Fiona Clarke said, "We are putting on a free BBQ, there will be music, speakers and an open-mike. Anyone who wants to have a say can - in Raintree Park from noon tomorrow.

"We aren't looking for trouble and we don't expect any. We plan a peaceful afternoon, a few sausage sangas and a bit of music. The fact that NAP is still powering after 4 years, is testament to the community support for the drug law reform group." Ms Clarke continued.

For more information call NAPNT on 0415 162 525 (+61415162525 from overseas) or see: http://www.napnt.org

NT Drug law-reform group celebrates fourth year

The Network Against Prohibition NT (NAPNT) will be celebrating their 4th birthday with a Smoke-In in Raintree Park on Sat, 11 March, 2006.

NAPNT is a drug law-reform organisation based in Darwin, Australia, and this will be the twenty-sixth Smoke-In for Human Rights the group has held over the past few years.

The first Smoke-In was held on 20 April, 2002 as a response to the proposed "drug-house laws" introduced by Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin's government soon after their election.

The peaceful event was marred by police violence when heavy-handed tactics were used to break up the gathering. A number of arrests were made.

NAPNT spokesperson Fiona Clarke said, "If the NT Government and their police thought they could scare us into silence and submission they were clearly mistaken.

"This will be the twenty-sixth Smoke-In. We believe in free speech and our right to hold a peaceful event in a public place. We are not going to go away."

Saturday's festivities will include a free sausage sizzle, local musicians, speakers and an open-mike.

The event kicks off at 12 noon.

For more information call NAPNT on 0415 162 525 (+61415162525 from overseas) or see: http://www.napnt.org

Parliament Invaders take it to the top

On May 14, 2002, a group of people associated with the Darwin-based drug law-reform group, the Network Against Prohibition NT (NAPNT), invaded the chamber of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly whilst it was in session.

The action was a protest at the NT Governments’ ‘drug house’ legislation, legislation that allows police to signpost the homes of drug users with a 1.2 metre high fluorescent green sign.

After a 16-day hearing in the Darwin Magistrates court, a number of NAPNT members were given severe sentences, including terms of imprisonment.

Three NAPNT members, Robert Inder-Smith, Stuart Highway and Gary Meyerhoff appealed against their conviction and this appeal was rejected by Justice David Angel in the NT Supreme Court on 17 September 2004.

This morning, the NAPNT trio will appear before three justices of the NT Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice Brian Martin, Justice Dean Mildren and Justice Sally Thomas. They are unrepresented.

The hearing will be held in the NT Supreme Court at 10am today.

For more information call 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas) or see http://www.napnt.org. You may also want to contact Jack Karczewski, deputy director of the NT Department of Public Prosecutions. He is representing the Crown in this matter and he can be contacted on (08) 8999 7315 (+61 8 8999 7315 from overseas).

The NAPNT members written submissions to the court of appeal are available in a Microsoft Word version here.

And in html format here.

'Call to arms' as Cannabis Wars erupt

Alarm bells should be ringing over the suggestion by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Christopher Pyne, that mental health funding under a Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement should be tied to tougher marijuana laws.

There is simply not enough evidence linking marijuana consumption to mental illness. Mr Pyne is mistaken when he states that the link is "clearly proven".

Australian researchers tested the hypothesis of a causal relationship between cannabis use and schizophrenia by carefully examining the incidence of schizophrenia in Australia over a thirty-year period. The results, published in 2003, found that although the prevalence of marijuana use had increased markedly during that period, there was no evidence of a significant increase in the incidence of schizophrenia.

Despite claims by some mental health professionals that some pre-existing mental illnesses can be exacerbated or "brought on" by marijuana use, the evidence that supports this is extremely dubious.

Spokesperson for the Darwin-based chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) Gary Meyerhoff said: "The end result of the Commonwealth's proposed re-criminalisation of marijuana would be a dramatic increase in the number of people in our prisons. This would have a devastating impact on the mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing of those Australians who are unlucky enough to be incarcerated.

"Mr Pyne would have you believe that they are being incarcerated for their own good and for the good of the nation. He is horribly wrong.

"The almost negligible negative health effects of marijuana call for legalisation and regulation, not further criminalisation."

The Darwin-based chapter of the Network Against Prohibition is calling on drug law-reform activists around the country to work together to fight what they have anointed "the Cannabis Wars".

For more information or to arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas).

Human rights activist undeterred by prison term.

Legendary Darwin human rights activist Stuart Highway has been released from Berrimah Jail.

Stuart was imprisoned on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 for an offence related to the drug law-reform campaign of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) in Darwin in Australia’s Top End.

He was sentenced to 8 months jail to be suspended after serving 3 months.

It hasn't been all plain sailing for Mr Highway while in prison. He spent 28 days in the punishment cells after refusing to provide a urine sample for a random drug test. He was labeled an Identified Drug User (IDU) and lost telephone privileges and his visits were cut back to half an hour per week.

The medium security block where Stuart was housed while not "down the back" (punishment) is extremely overcrowded. Prisoners are crammed into dormitories with no privacy and the heat and noise can become unbearable. Appearing in court for charges related to the "Parliament Invasion" case Stuart described being in Berrimah Prison as being "…in the bowels of Clare Martin's police state."

But far from breaking his spirit, this spell in jail has served to inspire Stuart Highway to fight the system even more.

Stuart said: "I'm all fired up and ready to go. Thanks, everyone, for your amazing support. You've all been terrific!"

For more information about Stuart’s case click here: http://www.napnt.org/pages/freestuarthighway.html

To arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas).

Stuart Highway likely to ‘go off the air’

Legendary Darwin human rights activist Stuart Highway is preparing to go “off the air” 62 days into his imprisonment at Berrimah jail.

Stuart has been telephoning friends in anticipation of being found guilty at a “hearing” tomorrow morning, which will try him for being an identified drug user (IDU).

If found guilty, Stuart will spend 28 days – almost the entirety of the rest of his three-month sentence – in a punishment cell.

He will lose all privileges, including visits and possibly the right to receive letters.

”I’m expecting to go off the air,” he said by phone early this afternoon.

Speaking about his incarceration, Stuart said: “It’s the whole system that is evil, from the prison guards who need their uniforms, to the judges and magistrates, court officials, the police, security guards . . . it’s their job.

“They pray on us. They suck our blood. They need fresh flesh to feed the maggots.”

Stuart said that people “on the outside” did not protest because they had been “conditioned to be passive”.

“They (our governors) convince people they can do nothing,” he said.

“We have to break that mindset. We’ve got to get our shit together. I’ve had a gutful. Things would really change if more people said, ‘Right, we’re not going to take this anymore’."

Stuart has 29 days left to serve.

For more information about Stuart’s case click here.

To arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas) or Darwin Prison on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 89220111).

NAPNT members are extremely concerned for Stuart’s welfare, please ring the Darwin Correctional Centre on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 8922 0111 from outside Australia) and demand that Stuart’s human rights are being respected. Please write to Stuart and let him know that he (and the other prisoners) has support on the outside.

Stuart Highway refuses prison drug-test

A Darwin activist may have to ride out the remainder of his sentence in a "punishment cell" at the infamous Berrimah Prison.

Berrimah Prison inmate Stuart Highway has been labelled an “identified drug user” (IDU) for refusing to provide a urine sample to prison officers earlier this week.

Stuart, presently serving a three-month sentence for charges arising from his involvement in an October 2002 drug law-reform rally, refused to give the required 60mil sample on Monday during a random drug-test.

He said he could face 28 days’ in the "punishment cells".

"They haven’t issued me with any paper work yet,” Stuart said.

“But I guess they’ll get around to it.”

Stuart said more officers than usual “swarmed” into the yard at 8am and began calling names. Those called had to assemble on one side of the compound, where they were given a cup of water to drink and ordered to provide a sample.

They had three hours to provide the sample, but Stuart said most had provided a specimen within 10 minutes. Anybody who doesn’t provide a sample within three hours, is deemed to be a drug-user.

“If it had occurred in Alice Springs, there would have been a riot,” he said.

“They swarmed in with no warning and herded us into one yard. Some prisoners were strip-searched and officers searched the dorms.

“Prisoners were on edge because it was really hot and we were locked in the yard.” Stuart said he was back in dorm one, which was less crowded.

Asked about his legal aid appeal, Stuart said it was like “flogging a dead horse”.

“Lorenzo Lodge, who was handling it, said the sentence was on the harsh side, but was not manifestly excessive,” Stuart said.

Stuart has 33 days left to serve.

For more information about Stuart’s case click here.

To arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas) or Darwin Prison on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 89220111).

NAPNT members are still very concerned for Stuart’s welfare, please ring the Darwin Correctional Centre on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 8922 0111 from outside Australia) to ensure that Stuart’s human rights are being respected. Please write to Stuart and let him know that he (and the other prisoners) is supported on the outside.

Time to Free Stuart Highway

Members of the Northern Territory chapter of the Network Against Prohibition are outraged at the ongoing incarceration of our friend and comrade Stuart Highway. Stuart has now served 50 days in Darwin Prison and he has another 41 to go.

NAPNT spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff has expressed concerns about Stuart’s welfare in a letter to the NT Administrator, Mr Ted Egan AO.

Stuart was imprisoned for three months on Tuesday 18 October for an offence related to the drug law-reform campaign of the Network Against Prohibition in Darwin in Australia’s Top End. The offence was three years old.

In a letter to Mr Egan, NAPNT spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff said: “We are very concerned about the harm Stuart could suffer from incarceration. Imprisonment should be used as an absolute last resort, in cases where an individual is violent or dangerous or some kind of serious threat to the community.”

Stuart does not fall into this category by any means.

He is a dedicated social justice activist and has contributed much to the community.

Mr Meyerhoff said: “Stuart has been under enormous pressure and stress over the last three years, largely because of the tough NT Government response to the ongoing campaign by the Network Against Prohibition. He has already suffered enough and paid the price for whatever transgressions he may have committed.

“Stuart poses no danger whatsoever to anybody or anything. His continued incarceration is a burden on taxpayers to no end.”

For more information about Stuart’s case click here.

To arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas); Darwin Prison on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 89220111) and/or the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mr Ted Egan AO on (08) 8999 7103.

Darwin residents continue struggle against ‘drug house’ laws

The NT Chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP), is holding its Silver Jubilee Smoke-In this Saturday.

The first Smoke-In, held in April 2002 shortly after the NAP was formed, was marred by police using heavy-handed tactics while trying to disperse the crowd.

NAP's Smoke-In for Human Rights is a bi-monthly, peaceful protest highlighting the NT's draconian ‘drug house laws’ and the 'War on Drugs' in general.

As 200 people enjoyed a local band in Darwin's Raintree Park, NT police officers moved in, aggressively targeting those whom they had marked as organisers. Despite this violent beginning, the NAP will be holding the 25th Smoke-In on Saturday.

NAP spokesperson Fiona Clarke said, "The fact that the Smoke-Ins are continuing shows the determination of the Darwin community to fight Clare Martin's Drug House laws."

"We are asking people to come along tomorrow to help free Stuart Highway, who is a victim of the NT government's clampdown on free speech," Ms Clarke added.

Former Lord Mayor candidate Stuart Highway has served almost 1 month of a 3 month prison sentence arising from charges at the NAP's 6th Smoke-In, in October 2002.

Fiona Clarke said "Stuart is a long-term Darwin resident and is well known by many locals. He is a peaceful activist and his being incarcerated has angered people from all walks of life."

"We want to show the NT government that they can't just jail free speech or lock-up anyone who speaks out against the drug house laws without some community backlash," she said.

Also on the agenda for NAP's 25th smoke-in is the plight of Nguyen Tuong Van, who faces the hangman in Singapore. He was caught within nearly 400g strapped to his body or in his luggage as he passed through Changi travelling from Cambodia to Australia.

All appeals for clemency have been rejected by the Singapore Government and Nguyen Tuong Van could be hung in as little as a week.

"We don't have the death penalty in Australia as Australian citizens are opposed to capital punishment." Ms Clarke said.

"There are many things Australia could do to pressure Singapore to spare Nguyen Tuong Van's life. We could stop training Singapore Air force pilots at RAAF bases for example." she added.

The Smoke-In for Human rights will be held tomorrow at 12 noon in Darwin's Raintree Park. There will be a free BBQ and afterwards a pool-party at NAP's HQ.

For more information ring 0415 162 525 or visit the website at www.napnt.org

International Drug Users’ Day – 1 November 2005

To acknowledge and celebrate 1st November as International Drug Users Day, drug user organisations from across Australia have organised a variety of events and activities in each state and territory.

“International Drug Users Day gives us a chance each year to highlight health, social, legal and human rights issues for people in our community who use illicit drugs” said Fiona Clarke from the NT Chapter of the Darwin-based Network Against Prohibition.

The most recent National Drug Strategy Household Survey conducted by the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare showed that in 2004 38.1% of Australians had ever used an illicit drug.

“This shows that when we are talking about people who use illicit drugs, we are not talking about a small number of people. We are talking about a significant proportion of the Australian population. People we know. People who are part of our community” added Fiona Clarke.

While the issues faced by different types of illicit drug users vary significantly depending on the drug used, frequency of use and prevailing community attitudes towards particular drugs, all people who use illicit drugs experience discrimination, stigma and unnecessary health problems as a consequence of the current government policies and laws in relation to illicit drugs.

“The Northern Territory Government’s ‘drug house’ laws are a perfect example of the persecution of illicit drug users in our community” stated Ms Clarke.

The first ‘International’ Drug Users Day was organised and held on 1 November 1999 by Project LSD the national drug users’ organisation in the Netherlands. In 2004 over ten countries participated in International Drug Users Day including the Netherlands, Germany, England, Ireland, Demark, Belgium, France, Spain, Slovenia, Russia and Australia.

Theo van Dam from Project LSD describes the value of International Drug Users Day in the following way “Drug users have found this day very valuable. At least for one day in the year, there are no people looking at you with disdain, and one feels accepted as a 'human being', so to speak.”

This year Australian drug users’ organisations will be joining their international counterparts with events and activities organised in all states and territories.

In Darwin, as part of International Drug Users’ day activities, NAP activist Gary Meyerhoff will appear before the Court of Appeal on Tuesday (at 2pm) to appeal against his conviction for ‘bill-pasting’. Meyerhoff was charged in 2003 for sticking up posters promoting the Darwin International Syringe Festival.

The court hearing will be followed by a NAP pool party at NAPHQ. Fiona Clarke will give a brief presentation on the history of the drug user movement in the NT.

For further comments on the aims of International Drug Users Day and for more information about International Drug User Day activities in the Northern Territory, please contact Fiona on 0415 16 2525.

http://www.napnt.org

Footnote: Today’s appeal against conviction for the parliament invasion, faced by NAP members Gary Meyerhoff, Stuart Highway and Robert Inder-Smith was adjourned until the next sittings of the Court of Appeal in February 2006. Gary Meyerhoff’s appeal against conviction for bill-pasting will go ahead tomorrow at 2pm at the NT Supreme Court.

Parliament Invaders set to appeal conviction

Three members of the NT chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) will appear before the full bench of the Northern Territory Supreme Court tomorrow to appeal against their conviction for invading the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on 14th May 2002.

Stuart Highway (currently in Darwin Prison for his involvement in a NAP-organised drug law-reform protest), Robert Inder-Smith and Gary Meyerhoff will appear before the Court of Appeal at 10am tomorrow to make their arguments.

The trio were part of a group of NAP activists who invaded the NT Legislative Assembly to protest against the draconian ‘drug house’ legislation.

The ‘drug house’ legislation, labelled as draconian by many, gave police the power to affix a 1.2 metre-high fluorescent green sign to your front fence or door, declaring your home to be a ‘drug premises’.

No criminal conviction is required and no charges have to be laid for your home to be labelled a 'drug premises'.

NAP activist Gary Meyerhoff will appear before the Court of Appeal again on Tuesday (at 2pm) to appeal against his conviction for ‘bill-pasting’.

For more information or to arrange an interview, call the NAP team on 0415 16 2525 or see the following web pages:

Network Against Prohibition (NAP) – NT Chapter

The ‘Drug House’ laws

Bill-pasting is not a crime

Darwin Prison protest: NAP applaud prisoners

Members of the Northern Territory chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) have applauded prisoners for their actions at the Darwin Prison in Berrimah yesterday.

Prison officers told the ABC that about 80 inmates refused to return to their cells late yesterday morning, complaining about poor meals and a lack of activities.

Last week, NAP member Stuart Highway was jailed for three months for his involvement in a NAP-organised drug law-reform rally in October 2002.

Stuart has contacted NAP by telephone and he has described the conditions as “horrific”.

Stuart has told NAP: "They treat us worse than animals in here.

"It's like a zoo, they lock us up in cages like animals.

"People in here are forgotten."

Stuart reported that prisoners are locked down in their cells or dorms at 3pm each day (earlier on some days). They remain locked down until 8am the following day.

Stuart is currently in medium security and there are 100 prisoners in his block. The jail is so overcrowded that prisoners are sleeping on bunk beds.

The block has one telephone between 100 prisoners. There is always a queue.

Stuart said that the people in the prison are not criminals, they are ordinary people. He said that despite the appalling conditions, the prisoners treat each-other with respect.

"It is amazing people keep their cool. There is terrific solidarity."

NAP spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff said: “Supreme Court Justice Trevor Riley has made a big mistake by jailing Stuart Highway.”

The Network Against Prohibition has launched a campaign to free Stuart Highway. For more information click here.

You can contact the NAP team on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas).

You can read the ABC report here.

Downer must do more

Save Nguyen Tuong Van - He now faces execution, possibly within 10 days

The Network Against Prohibition (NAP) has hit out at claims made by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer that the Australian Government has “done everything we can to plead for his life.”

25-year-old Melbourne man, Nguyen Tuong Van was arrested in December 2002 attempting to smuggle heroin through Singapore.

He told police he was smuggling the drugs to help pay off a debt owed by his twin brother.

Despite his cooperation with the Singapore and Australian police, Singapore's President Sellapan Ramanathan last week rejected Nguyen Tuong Van’s call for clemency. Nguyen is looking at execution within a fortnight.

Unless a last-minute reprieve is granted, he will become the first Australian to be executed overseas since 1993.

NAP spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff said: “There is much more that can be done to bargain for Nguyen’s life.

“We should immediately break all ties with the Singapore military and stop training RSIAF pilots at the Pearce RAAF base in Western Australia.

“Our navy should give Singapore a wide berth until further notice.

“Surely the life of this young Australian is more important than a few joint military training exercises.”

According to Tim Goodwin, the spokesman for the Australian chapter of Amnesty International, Singapore has a shocking record.

More than 420 people have been executed there since 1991.

Mr Goodwin said: “With a population of just over four million, it has the highest execution rate in the world.”

For more information and links on Nguyen’s case click here.

To arrange an interview with a NAP member, email us at hq (at) napnt.org or contact Gary Meyerhoff on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas) and/or contact Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on one of the following numbers:

Ministerial Office 02 6277 7500 (+61 2 6277 7500 from overseas)

Adelaide Office 08 8237 7150 (+61 8 8237 7150 from overseas)

Electorate Office 08 8370 9288 (+61 8 8370 9288 from overseas)

or email him at this address: minister.downer@dfat.gov.au

More links:

Amnesty International Australia on the decision to execute Nguyen

Singabloodypore on the decision to refuse clemency

The Think Centre on the decision to refuse clemency

Stuart Highway jailed in Darwin

Will serve three months

Veteran human rights and social justice campaigner Stuart Highway was sentenced today to 8 months’ jail for his involvement in a Community Smoke-In held at Darwin in October 2002.

The Smoke-in had been organised by the drug law-reform group the Network Against Prohibition (NAP), of which Mr Highway is a founding member. NAP formed to oppose the Martin Government’s ‘drug house’ legislation.

The ‘drug house’ legislation, labelled as draconian by many, gave police the power to affix a 1.2 metre-high fluorescent green sign to your front fence or door, declaring your home to be a ‘drug premises’.

No criminal conviction is required and no charges have to be laid for your home to be labelled a 'drug premises'.

Billed as a family event, the smoke-in turned sour after it was interrupted by members of the NT Police.

Highway and three other NAP members, Michael Barry, Nicolette Burrows and Gary Meyerhoff were indicted on charges of unlawful damage to police vehicles.

Unrepresented, Highway went through the ordeal of a trial by jury and was yesterday found guilty. Just after 2pm today in court 3 at the NT Supreme Court, Stuart was sentenced to eight months jail, suspended after serving three months.

During his sentencing submissions, Highway told Justice Trevor Riley: “We’ve always maintained the NT Government is the guilty party with their ‘drug house’ laws, not the members of the Network Against Prohibition.”

Mr Highway was supported in court by a group of NAP supporters including Margot Laughton, grandmother and first victim of Clare Martin’s draconian ‘drug house’ legislation.

Barry and Burrows were each sentenced to 5 months wholly suspended.

Meyerhoff currently has pneumonia and avoided this week’s trial on that basis. He will face a trial by jury at a later date. Last week, he received a five-month suspended sentence for occupying the electorate office of NT Chief Minister Clare Martin on August 1, 2002, the day the ‘drug house’ laws came into force.

Speaking from Sydney, NAP activist Fiona Clarke vowed that the NAP campaign against the 'drug house' laws and other human rights abuses in the NT would continue.

“This is all part of the ongoing targeting of NAP members because of their political beliefs, and the ongoing criminalisation of dissent in Australia,” said Ms Clarke.

NAP members have been subject to more than 130 criminal charges since the group’s formation in March 2002.

The organisation continues to hold regular Smoke-ins in Darwin's Raintree Park, the next such event being held on November 12.

For more information call Gary on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from os), Crown Prosecutor Nathan Crafti on (08) 8999 7533 (+61 8 8999 7533 from os), the Department of the Chief Minister on (08) 8901 4000 (+61 8 8901 4000 from os) or see the NAP website.

For more information about the NT ‘drug house’ laws click here.

For more information on the 6th Community Smoke-in, click here.