Aust Beazley should be unequivocal against torture

Beazley, like Howard, should be unequivocal against torture

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley should be unequivocal in his defence of conventions and international rules banning torture, Greens Leader Bob Brown said tonight.

"Sleep deprivation aimed at forcing confessions or other information from prisoners is torture. The Greens differ from Labor and Liberal in ruling out sleep deprivation - unequivocally - as a breach of international law," Senator Brown said.

"You only have to consider how Australians would feel about any of their soldiers being kept awake for 3 or 4 days with ear splitting noise, near zero temperatures and glaring strobe lights, to see why it is important Australia stand firm against this form of torture."

"If we alter the rules we inevitably expose Australians to such terrible techniques in the future," Senator Brown concluded.

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