On July 27, 2007 Australia dropped all charges of “reckless support to a terror network” against
Dr. Mohammed Haneef, who has been in detention since July 2, 2007. This follows international outrage and protests from democratic public opinion both in Australia as well as in India.

According to news reports, the Australian Federal Police and the Chief Public Prosecutor found that there was no reasonable chance of conviction based on the tenuous `evidence’ that had been gathered so far. Dr. Haneef has now been placed under `residential detention’ as he seeks legal advice on whether his visa should be reinstated. It must be kept in mind that there is no guarantee that his visa would be reinstated. There is still the distinct possibility of his deportation back to India, which would imply a permanent stigma and would interfere with his future prospects for travel and employment. The officials in Australia continue to be unrepentant, with blame being traded back and forth between various departments and agencies, between the Government and the Police and Prosecution.

The dropping of charges against Dr Haneef is a victory for all those in Australia, in particular, who have been fighting indefatigably against Australia’s participation in the Anglo American “war against terrorism”, and against the fascist laws that have been promulgated in recent times in the name of combating terrorism.
Dr Haneef’s case is yet another proof of how creating an atmosphere of terrorism and then passing such fascist laws enable states to violate the human rights of people with complete impunity. People's Voice is confident that in the coming period, the democratic opinion in Australia will fight for the complete repeal of such fascist laws.