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Australian hate law
A Washington-based Christian human rights group is urging supporters to contact the Australian Embassy to protest the trial of two Christian pastors accused of insulting Islam.
"This case is a major affront to the basic values of Western society, such as freedom of speech and religious expression, and has the potential to impact the right to assembly peacefully and discuss other faiths," International Christian Concern (ICC) said in an e-mail message yesterday.
The civil trial of Daniel Nalliah and Daniel Scot, which began last year, is scheduled to resume tomorrow in Melbourne, Australia. Lawyers for both sides expect the case to be concluded by March 5.
The embassy already has received hundreds of e-mails, letters and phone calls from Americans who are concerned about the case brought by the Islamic Council of the Australian state of Victoria.
"We have a very considerable amount of correspondence from people right across the United States," embassy spokesman Matthew Francis said yesterday.
He said the embassy has explained that the case is a civil trial and that "there is no jail sentence involved." Reports in Australia say the men could face a fine of up to $23,000.
"Australia is a country that respects the rule of law and cherishes freedom of expression and opinion," Mr. Francis added.
He also explained that the case is not a federal matter. It was brought under Victoria's Racial and Religious Tolerance Act of 2001.
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