David Hicks a Step Closer to Freedom

The British Court of Appeal has dismissed the British Government's appeal against Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks' application for British citizenship in a unanimous verdict, bringing Hicks one step closer to being released from the discredited facility after over four years of incarceration.

As his American military lawyer Major Michael Mori explained on tonight's 7:30 Report (no transcript up yet so I haven't linked it), the government may still appeal to the House of Lords, but this appeal is less likely to be accepted given the unanimity of the verdict. Mori rejected speculation that Hicks would renounce his Australian citizenship to strengthen his case, and would instead hold dual citizenship. Nine British citizens have previously been removed from Guantanamo Bay, two of whom were designated to attend the military commission process, which is itself the subject of an ongoing legal challenge.

I've probably said it before, but Major Mori is someone who mightily deserves a medal for everything he has done for Hicks. He's is a model example of someone who realises that human rights extend to everyone, they don't expire; we don't surrender them or cash them in, you just get them and that's that.