Tuesday 26 February 2013

Dear Mr Leslie

The right of the accused to be confronted with the evidence against him
or her is fundamental to a free state and a free society.  Part 2 of
this Government's proposed Justice and Security Bill would rubbish this
right, by applying Closed Material Procedures in a broad range of
criminal and civil trials in cases in which - according to the
Government's assertion - national security might be harmed by
disclosure of such evidence in open court, or even privately to the
defendant.  As it is nigh impossible to defend oneself against unknown
evidence and unknown spin, Closed Material Procedures would
fundamentally prejudice trials against the accused.  Prudence and
fairness dictate that should any prejudice at all exist, the bias ought
to be in the opposite direction, away from conviction.	This bill would
constitute a licence for sham trials, kangaroo courts and cover-ups. 
Do we trust this Government - or any political institution constituted
of fallible human beings - always to act morally in the absence of open
scrutiny?  I urge you to scrap Part 2 of the Justice and Security Bill.

Kind regards
Matthew BELMONTE