Friday, July 9, 2010

Justice for Mr Ward, his family and community


“A question which is raised by the case is how a society, which would like to think of itself as being civilised, could allow a human being to be transported in such circumstances” —Alistair Hope, Coroner (WA)

Can only but agree with the comments of State Labor Politician Ben Wyatt on the appalling response of the WA Director of Public Prosecutions and consecutive State Governments to the death of Aboriginal elder and community leader Mr Ward.

“The death of Mr Ward in 2008 was, and remains, a disgrace.

“How can we as a community genuinely talk about reconciliation and NAIDOC celebrations when Aboriginal men die in circumstances such as that of Mr Ward and the DPP does not take the matter to the court for judgment?”

Ben Wyatt has called on the DPP to make public the legal advice upon which he based the decision not to prosecute those responsible for Mr Ward's death, including the Department for Corrective Services, (the responsible government agency), the private corporation G4S and its two employees who were driving the van in which Mr Ward died.

Like thousands of West Australians I will be attending the protest rally in Supreme Court Gardens this Sunday July 11 at 1pm organized by the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee WA who continue to do a remarkable job fighting for justice for Mr Ward, his family and community. Please support them.


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