Special Force

2002

Note, this game has never Been submitted for rating to the OFLC. however, there is no doubt that it would be refused classification.

This game came to the attention of Melbourne ALP MP Michael Danby following the publication of an article in the New York Times on May 18th 2003.

The story by Daniel J.Wakin was titled "Video Game Created by Militant Group Mounts Simulated Attacks Against Israeli Targets" includes the following piece that claims the game was being sold in Australia.


"A member of the game's design team, Bilal Zain, said "Special Force" was intended to disseminate Hezbollah's "values, concepts and ideas," as well as to give Hezbollah fans a chance to feel as if they were taking part in attacks they cheered from afar.

Mr. Zain said the video game also served as a counterweight to other games on the international market that depicted Arabs as terrorists instead of as freedom fighters with legitimate grievances. He said "Special Force" was less bloody than many other games.

"We want others to know our land is occupied, our people are imprisoned in Israeli jails, our houses are being demolished," he said.

The border area controlled by Hezbollah is quiet for now, he said. "But we do not want the resistance concept to vanish," he said. "We want this idea to live among the Arab people, the Islamic people."

He said about 10,000 copies of "Special Force" had been sold in Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany and Australia. It can be played in English, French, Arabic and Farsi."

The following press releases issued by Mr Danby show the progression of the story.

***

MICHAEL DANBY MHR Press Release from the Federal Member for Melbourne Ports

28 May 2003

VIOLENT HEZBOLLAH COMPUTER GAME CIRCULATING IN AUSTRALIA

Michael Danby, the Federal Member for Melbourne Ports, who yesterday seconded a Private Member’s Bill to proscribe the terrorist organisation Hezbollah, has today called for the examination of a terrorist-style computer game developed by Hezbollah, now being distributed in Australia.

The computer game, Special Force, has sold more than 10,000 copies around the world, including Australia, according to The New York Times.

The creator of the game, Bilal Zain said the game was designed to disseminate Hezbollah’s "values, concepts and ideas." "This game is part of Hezbollah’s elaborate propaganda efforts to brain-wash and inculcate hatred of all Israelis, Jews and western democracies" Mr Danby said. He drew attention to a recent pronouncement of Hezbollah’s spiritual mentor, Hasan Nasrallah, who encouraged young people to export suicide bombing across the world. He said "Martydom operations [suicide bombings] should be exported outside Palestine. I encourage Palestinians to take suicide bombings world-wide. Don’t be shy about it." (On Al-Quds Day, broadcast on Al-Manar Television, December 2002. Source: American Jewish Committee, www.ajc.org)

"Today I asked the government whether they are aware the game is being sold in Australia, and why it has not been banned by the Office of Film and Literature Classification or the Australian Broadcasting Authority." Mr Danby said.

"The Office of Film and Literature Classification has informed me that they have never seen Special Force, and that it is most likely outside their jurisdiction." Mr Danby continued.

"In a global war against terrorism, it is vital that the education front is fought just as hard as the financing front. Children throughout the world can not be brought up hating. Education is the best way to combat terrorism in the long term, so games like these, which promote hatred and terrorism, must not be distributed in Australia."

For more information: Michael Danby MP (02) 6277 4713 or 0408 561 497

Daniel Casey (02) 6277 4713 or 0402 484 210

MICHAEL DANBY MHR Press Release from the Federal Member for Melbourne Ports

Question on Notice to:
The Prime Minister
The Attorney-General
The Minister representing the Minister for Justice and Customs
The Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

1. 1) What organisation is responsible for the classification of computer games?
2. 2) What is the process for computer games to be classified?
1. a. Do all computer games need to be submitted for classification before being sold?
2. b. What is the penalty for selling computer games which have not been classified?
3. c. On what basis is the classification made?
4. i. Is the ideology, values and concept of the game relevant?
5. a. Is the Minister aware that the game has
6. i. An introduction of an exploding Israeli tank
7. ii. Shows rows and rows of burning Israeli flags
8. iii. Points are awarded for executing Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon
9. iv. Parts of the game are based on actual attacks on Israeli positions
10. v. Part of the programme says "You must oppose, confront and destroy the machines of the Zionist enemy" and that the game shows "the defeat of the Israeli enemy and the heroic actions taken by the heroes of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon"
11. a. Can the Minister confirm this?
12. b. Has the game been submitted for classification?
13. i. If so, when was it submitted for classification?
14. ii. What classification did it receive?
15. iii. Do you agree with the classification it received?
16. 1. Why? Why not?
17. 2. If not, will you request a review of its classification?
18. iv. If not, what action has been taken against people who have imported, manufactured, distributed, sold or bought the game?
19. 1. If no action has been taken, why not? Will the Minister order action to be taken?
20. a. What are they?
21. b. What classifications have they received?
3. 3) Has the Minister heard of a game called "Special Force," created by Hezbollah in Lebanon?
4. 4) Is the Minister aware of reports in The New York Times of May 18 that copies of this game have been sold in Australia.
5. 5) Are there any other similar games on the market?

Michael Danby MP
Federal Member for Melbourne Ports

***

MICHAEL DANBY MHR
Press Release from the Federal Member for Melbourne Ports
3 June 2003

HEZBOLLAH “COMPUTER GAME” PRODUCED BY IRANIAN GOVERNMENT

The Federal Member for Melbourne Ports, Michael Danby, will today produce evidence that Special Force, the terrorist computer game he called to be banned in Australia, is in fact backed by the Iranian government.

Special Force is produced by Hezbollah, and aims at propagating Hezbollah’s terrorist “values, concepts and ideas,” according to one of the designers of the game, Bilal Zain.

“This game is part of Hezbollah’s elaborate propaganda efforts to brain-wash and inculcate hatred of all Israelis, Jews and western democracies”, Mr Danby said.

“Last week I questioned the government about Special Force, and although I am yet to receive a response, I have now discovered evidence linking the game to the Iranian government.” Mr Danby said. Mr Danby seconded the Opposition Leader Simon Crean’s private member’s Bill, which sought to proscribe Hezbollah.

“The Hezbollah game was disclosed by the New York Times at the time when here in Australia, both the government and Opposition received security briefings that confirmed Hezbollah was present in Australia” Mr Danby said. “Noorsoft is listed as a distributor of the Hezbollah game on the website. (Source:http://download.specialforce.net/english/center.htm)

“Noorsoft is a subsidiary of the Computer Research Center for Islamic Sciences. (Source: http://www.noorsoft.org/eng/About%20us/About%20us.htm)

“The CRCIS was established by the Iranian Government in 1998 ‘under the supreme direction of His Highness Ayatollah Khameneyee’ (sic) (Source: http://www.salamiran.org/Religion/Software/)” 

Mr Danby concluded. 
“It is more than disappointing that after last week’s tour of moderates from the Iranian parliament, to discover again that the Mullahs, lead by key hardliner Ayatollah Khamanei, are using their control of the Iranian government to encourage extremists worldwide, including here in Australia.” Mr Danby said.

Mr Danby should be speaking at around 6:15pm in the Chamber. Mr Danby has already asked a series of questions about the game, which appeared on the Notice Paper on the 29th of May. The questions below will appear on the Notice Paper tomorrow.

For more information:

Michael Danby MHR (02) 6277 4713 or 0408 561 497
Daniel Casey (02) 6277 4713 or 0402 484 210

Question on Notice to The Prime Minister
Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts The Attorney-General
Minister representing the Minister for Justice and Customs
The Minister for Foreign Affairs

Following in from questions 1968-1970

1) Does the government endorse the view of the United States government that key elements of the Iranian government sponsors terrorism?

2) Is the government aware of the computer game Special Force, mentioned in the above questions?

3) Is the government aware that Noorsoft is listed as a distributor of the game its website.

a. Does Noorsoft have any offices, agents, representatives or subsidiaries in Australia.

b. Is the government aware of any other Noorsoft products or subsidiaries which promote terrorist, extremist ideas?

i. Are any of these products or subsidiaries present in Australia?

4) Is the government aware that Noorsoft is a subsidiary of the Computer Research Center for Islamic Sciences (CRCIS).

a. Does CRCIS have any offices, agents, representatives or subsidiaries in Australia.

b. Is the government aware of any other CRCIS products or subsidiaries which extol terrorist, extremist ideas?

i. Are any of these products or subsidiaries present in Australia?

5) Is the government aware that the CRCIS was established by the Iranian Government.

6) Is the government concerned that this is another example of Iranian sponsored extremism and encouragement of terrorism?

7) Will Noorsoft, CRCIS and Special Force be proscribed under the legislation to proscribe Hezbollah recently introduced into the Parliament? Or will the government refer this game to the Office of Film and Literature Classification?

a. If not, why not?

b. If not, will the government move to proscribe Special Force?

8) What statements, diplomatic approaches or actions has the Government made or will the Government make to inform the regime in control of the Islamic Republic of Iran that sponsoring terrorism and hatred via computer games which promote terrorism is inconsistent with the membership of the community of nations and contrary to hopes of new peace talks in the Middle East.

Michael Danby MP
Federal Member for Melbourne Ports

***

MICHAEL DANBY MHR Press Release from the Federal Member for Melbourne Ports

11 August 2003

HEZBOLLAH COMPUTER GAME ILLEGAL IN AUSTRALIA

Michael Danby MP, the Federal Member for Melbourne Ports, today welcomed clarification from the Attorney General that terrorist computer game Special Force is illegal in Australia.

"It is clear from the Minister's response that Special Force would be refused classification if it was submitted to the Commonwealth Classification Board for classification." Mr Danby said.

"The Attorney-General’s answer makes it clear that people selling, hiring, advertising or publicly demonstrating Special Force in Australia is illegal, and I am pleased the Minister has asked for an investigation of whether Special Force is available in Australia."

"However, the Minister still has not answered my question about whether this game was backed by the Iranian government." Mr Danby continued.

"In the wake of the Marriot suicide-bombings, it is vital that Australia is protected from such terrorism, which is why Simon Crean and I successfully moved a private members Bill to proscribe the terrorist group Hezbollah. This game should be proscribed under that law, as well as under the censorship and classification laws."

"In a global war against terrorism, it is vital that incitement is fought just as hard as the financing front. Children throughout the world cannot be brought up hating. Education is the best way to combat terrorism in the long term, so games like these, which promote hatred and terrorism, should not be distributed in Australia." Mr Danby said.

***

The Attorney General's reply to the questions from Mr Danby are as follows.

Question on Notice: Arts: Computer Games Classification
Date: 12 August, 2003
Questioner:  Danby, Michael, MP (Melbourne Ports, ALP, Opposition)
Responder: Williams, Daryl, MP (Tangney, Attorney-General, LP)
Question No: Question Nos 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970

Mr Danby asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 29 May 2003:

(1)Which organisation is responsible for the classification of computer games.

(2)Do all computer games need to be submitted for classification before being sold; if so, (a) what is the process for classifying computer games, (b) what is the penalty for selling computer games which have not been classified, and (c) on what basis is the classification made, in particular, are the (i) ideology, (ii) values, and (iii) concept of the game relevant.

(3)Is the Minister aware of a game called “Special Force” created by Hezbollah in Lebanon; if so, is he also aware that the game, (a) has an introduction including an exploding Israeli tank, (b) shows rows and rows of burning Israeli flags, (c) awards points for executing the Israeli Prime Minister, (d) includes parts based on actual attacks of Israeli positions, and (e) includes parts that, (i) say “You must oppose, confront and destroy the machines of the Zionist enemy”, and (ii) show “the defeat of the Israeli enemy and the heroic actions taken by the heroes of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon”.

(4)Is the Minister able to confirm or deny reports in The New York Times of 18 May 2003 that copies of this game have been sold in Australia.

(5)Has the game been submitted for classification; if so, (a) when, (b) did it receive a classification which permits its sale and distribution in Australia; if so, (i) why, and (ii) will the Minister request a review of its classification, and (c) if it was not classified, (iii) why not, (iv) what action has been taken against people who have imported, manufactured, distributed, sold or bought the game, and (v) if no action has been taken, why not and will the Minister order action to be taken.

(6)Are there similar games on the market, if so, what are they and what classifications have they received.

Mr Williams —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1)The Commonwealth Classification Board (the Board) is responsible for the classification of computer games. The Board is an independent statutory body, supported by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC). The Board is selected to be broadly representative, as far as possible, of the Australian community.

(2)Computer games must be classified before they can be legally sold, hired, advertised or publicly demonstrated in Australia.

(a) The process for classifying computer games is prescribed in the Commonwealth Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Act). On application, the Board classifies computer games in accordance with the requirements of the Act, the principles set out in the National Classification Code (a schedule to the Act) and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games (the Combined Guidelines).

(b )There are penalties for selling unclassified computer games, which are set out under State and Territory classification enforcement legislation. It is an offence to sell unclassified computer games in all States and Territories. The maximum penalty for selling an unclassified computer game in each jurisdiction is as follows:

(c) The Board classifies computer games in accordance with criteria outlined in the Act, the National Classification Code and the Combined Guidelines. Computer games may be classified G, G8+, M15+ or MA15+. Games that exceed the MA15+ classification are Refused Classification (RC). There is no R18+ classification category for computer games.

In relation to the specific question of whether the ideology, values or concept of the game are relevant to a classification decision, these terms are not specifically used in the Act, the Code or the Combined Guidelines. The Code does, however, require the Board, when making classification decisions, to take into account the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults.

For example, the Code provides that computer games that depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of, among other things, crime, cruelty or violence in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified, are to be classified RC. The Code also states that computer games that promote, incite or instruct in matters of crime or violence are to be classified RC.

(3)I am aware of reports in an article in The New York Times of 18 May 2003 (the article) of a game called Special Force. I am also aware that the article alleges that the game was created by “Hezbollah” and contains the depictions referred to by Mr Danby in his question.

(4)I am aware of the reports in the article that copies of this game have been sold in Australia. I am unable to confirm or deny those reports.

(5) I am advised that the Classification Board has no record of a computer game called Special Force being submitted for classification.

(a)Not applicable.

(b)(i) and (ii) Not applicable.

(c)(iii) The game has not been classified because it has not been submitted for classification. The Classification Board classifies computer games on application.

(iv) and (v)I have asked for this matter to be referred to Community Liaison Scheme (CLS) staff at the OFLC for investigation and appropriate action. The CLS is a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory initiative with national coverage. CLS staff fulfil an educative role assisting retailers and distributors of publications, films and computer games to comply with their legal obligations under the national classification scheme and to identify breaches of classification laws.

Should the CLS investigation reveal that Special Force is being sold in Australia, I have asked that the matter be referred back to the Director of the Classification Board for consideration in relation to exercising his powers to call in a product for classification.

(6)Without knowing specific details of the content of Special Force, it is not possible to nominate with any certainty other similar games on market.

I note that the article in The New York Times of 18 May 2003 refers to another computer game called Counterstrike. I am advised that the OFLC has no record of a game with that exact title.

I am advised that the OFLC website at www.oflc.gov.au contains a classification database listing computer game classification decisions and that interested persons can search this database according to criteria such as title and classification.

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