Greens MP Adam Bandt and Labor MP Laurie Ferguson speak about SL

Thank you to Laurie for raising the motion and to both Adam and Laurie for their powerful speech in Parliament on 28th of February 2011.

Text of Adam’s speech (taken from Hansard):

Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens)

I rise to speak in support of the motion. The long-running civil war in Sri Lanka, which has its roots in the colonial subjugation of that country by the British Empire, has been ongoing and has consumed the country for over 26 years. Estimates vary on the number of people killed during that war but the United Nations says that up to 100,000 people may have lost their lives. That is an incredible figure and represents only the worst end of the terrible misery and suffering that has been experienced by the people of this island nation.

While the Sri Lankan government declared an end to the civil war in May 2009 and the LTTE, or Tamil Tigers, acceded defeat, this conflict cannot be said to be over yet. In fact, it is a reasonable prediction that some form of conflict will continue until the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people to self-determination are addressed in some form or another. Self-determination is an in alienable right recognised in the UN charter and elaborated in article 1 of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Article 1 states:

All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

While we Greens support the work of the United Nations panel which, as this motion outlines, was established on 22 June 2010 by the United Nations Secretary-General, it is clear that there still needs to be an independent international investigation into the human rights abuses and war crimes, in particular in the final stages of the war. According to reports, the final months and years of this war were the most bloody and involved terrible human rights abuses. Such abuses must be properly investigated and a process towards justice must be achieved. The member for Werriwa in moving this motion made a very important point, and that is that independent observers, whether from the United Nations or elsewhere, must be granted full access to Sri Lanka to be able to investigate all alleged crimes and abuses fully.

According to Amnesty International’s most recent written statement to the 16th session of the UN Human Rights Council released just last week:

Impunity persists for past violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law, and new and serious violations of human rights continue to be reported. In the two years since fighting ended in Sri Lanka evidence of serious violations and abuses by parties to the conflict has continued to mount, but the Sri Lankan Government has refused to acknowledge credible allegations of war crimes and other crimes under international law by its armed forces in the course of the conflict that ended in May 2009. It continues to subject people to enforced disappearances and torture and other ill-treatment. Thousands of people suspected of ties with the … (LTTE) remain in detention without charge.

…            …            …

Some officials still claim publicly that there were no civilian casualties at all.

Australia must take some responsibility for this situation in Sri Lanka, one of our nearest neighbours, because we have failed to put any substantial pressure on Sri Lanka, either directly or in international forums. The Australian government’s failure so far to reject the former head of Sri Lanka’s navy, Thisara Samarasinghe, as a possible new ambassador to Australia is symptomatic of the weak way in which our country has historically responded to the Sri Lankan government’s violation of human rights. Thisara Samarasinghe was in charge of the Sri Lankan navy when their ships were reported to have shelled civilian areas. Surely this makes him unfit to be ambassador. Australia needs to do more to stand up to the Sri Lankan government and protect the human rights of all peoples living in Sri Lanka, including the Tamil people. There needs to be a real independent war crimes investigation with teeth and Australia needs to get behind it.

In conclusion, it has been my privilege to have dealt with people who identify as Tamils living in Australia, in Victoria, from a variety of political and other perspectives, including the Australian Tamil Congress. One thing that certainly does unite the approach they take now that they are living here in this country is their desire to see a peaceful Sri Lanka. Certainly the sense that I get is that they feel that for many years they have been seeking to draw attention, perhaps unsuccessfully, to what has been happening in their country. At the very least, we owe them now a full and independent investigation into the allegations. (Time expired)

5 week countdown – a msg from us

Dear all,

Happy New Year. Wishing you the best for 2011.

With only 5 weeks left till the NSW State election, Tamils for Greens are preparing for another exciting election campaign.

Since the last Federal election in which we saw Australia-wide support for the progressive Green vote, the Federal and state Greens have continued to build a strong relationship with the Tamil community, attending our events and speaking out on issues that are important to us: 

1.  Federal Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has:

• called for a full independent international investigation into war crimes in Sri Lanka http://bit.ly/i4v2x6
• continued to advocate in Federal parliament for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers http://bit.ly/gTZb6W
• maintained a very close relationship with many members of the Australian Tamil community regarding Tamil asylum seekers, children in detention, war crimes, detention facilities

2. Lee Rhiannon who will enter the Federal Senate in July:

• spoke in front of more than 1000 ‘non Tamils’ about war crimes in Sri Lanka in a Wikileaks rally http://bit.ly/e8rj8G.
• visited the Tamils in Villawood numerous times
• attended the opening of Tamil Refugees Assistant Network and Patchwork office in Pendle Hill http://bit.ly/iewlp1
• talked with various members of the Tamil community about pursuing war crimes in Sri Lanka through the Australian parliament
• met with the head of GTF Father Prof. Dr. Rev. S J Emmanuel in Sydney

3.  NSW Parliament MP David Shoebridge (http://bit.ly/gk8JxP) addressed young Tamils at a community careers night in Sydney http://bit.ly/gkouM3

4. David Shoebridge and Lee Rhiannon while attending the Tamil’s Australia Day event publicly condemned the possibility of former Sri Lankan army officials taking up diplomatic posts in Australia

Although our community has traditionally illustrated interest in Federal issues,  the state Greens’ MPs Ian Cohen, John Kaye, Slyvia Hale, Colleen Hartland and Amanda Bresnan (to name just a few) have all been valuable allies and a source of strength and compassion during the Sri Lankan Civil War and in its aftermath.

As well as this, we believe the Greens policies at a state level are just as important to our everyday lives, families, education, health and economy.

Over the next few weeks we will keep you informed of these policies, such that you are able to make an informed choice on March 26th.

Remember, every vote counts and is important.

We will be in touch shortly, however if you have any questions in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact us.

More information?

 

Facebook www.facebook.com/tamilsforgreens
Twitter www.twitter.com/tamilsforgreens

Yours sincerely,
Tamils For Greens
‘Vote 1 the Greens’ “Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong”. Richard Armour

Sarah Hanson-Young calls for humanity

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

**MEDIA RELEASE**

Time for Compassion As We Remember Boat Tragedy

The Government should be treating the detained survivors and relatives of those killed in the Christmas Island boat tragedy with compassion by relocating them to Sydney so that they can be closer to loved ones, Australian Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“It’s distressing to hear that these traumatised people will only spend a short time in Sydney, before being returned to Christmas Island. Surely they should be transferred to a facility in Sydney, so that they can be closer to their relatives during this sad time,” said the Greens Immigration Spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

“I am particularly concerned about the welfare of a 9 year old boy, who  lost both his parents in last year’s tragedy. He is currently being detained with his aunty in Christmas Island. I understand, his aunt is distraught at having lost her sister and is not able to provide the support he needs. He is unable to attend school while in detention. He has other relatives in Sydney so he should be able to be relocated there. Surely, the welfare of this child must come first.”

“Two months ago I called on the Government to bring him to the mainland. With him now travelling to Sydney for the funeral of his parents, the Minister should be allowing him to stay.”

Senator Hanson-Young also rejected suggestions that the Government should not be paying for the funeral expenses and cost of transporting families to Sydney.

“Any suggestion that these vulnerable people should not be afforded the opportunity to attend the funeral of their loved ones, is cruel and mean-spirited. These people have fled torture and persecution. They are effectively stateless, without consular assistance. They were travelling to Australia seeking our protection and support. We have a responsibility to help them.”

“With funeral services being held today, this is a time to remember those who died in this terrible tragedy. It is a time for compassion, not cheap political point-scoring,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

Media Contact: Robert Simms – 0427 604 760

Sarah Hanson-Youn backs war crimes investigation

Statement by Senator Hanson-Young on Sri Lanka

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Human Rights:

“The Australian Greens are extremely concerned about recent reports expanding on allegations of human rights violations perpetrated during the Sri Lankan civil war.

“We would like to see a fully independent international investigation into these allegations. It is important that any investigation should have consequences for anyone found to have committed human rights violations.

“The Greens believe that this process could and should operate in conjunction with the UN’s Advisory Panel on Sri Lanka which was set up earlier this year.

“There is a groundswell of concern around the world about the situation in Sri Lanka – British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has voiced his concern about the allegations of human rights violations, while numerous members of the US House of Representatives and Senate have called on the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to support an investigation.

“An independent inquiry that is free to find the truth of what happened in the civil war is necessary if Sri Lanka is to have any chance of ongoing peace and reconciliation. We call on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to add the Government’s support for this independent investigation.”

Greens move for a new beginning on Asylum Seekers

14th September 2010

                                         GREENS MOVE FOR A NEW BEGINNING ON ASYLUM-SEEKERS  

The Australian Greens have called for discussions with the new Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, to work towards a more sensible approach to asylum-seekers, according to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Immigration and Human Rights, says she has written to Mr Bowen to congratulate him on his appointment and to seek to establish a workable relationship with regular meetings in the new Parliament.

“Mr Bowen’s appointment provides a new opportunity to convince the Gillard Government that its offshore processing policy and suspension of asylum claims for Afghans is not the answer,’’ Senator Hanson-Young said.

“The Coalition has made it quite clear that it is not interested in changing its inhumane approach.

“This is an opportunity for the Gillard Government to break free of the race to the bottom on refugees that was displayed in the recent election campaign.
  
“Australia should not be trying to palm off its responsibilities as a regional leader to the poorest nations in our region, whether it be East Timor, Nauru or somewhere else.

“This week I will be travelling to Darwin to visit immigration facilities and see for myself the conditions in the centres, which have already been the subject of criticism.

“There are a number of key immigration issues the Greens want to work with Mr Bowen to resolve.’’

These issues include:
·       Lifting the suspension of Afghan asylum claims
·       Ending the practice of children in immigration detention
·       Abandoning the Government’s East Timor Solution and drawing a line under further offshore processing
·       An end to indefinite and long-term detention, with judicial review of detention beyond 30 days
·       A public campaign to provide the facts to the community and promote the positive and valuable contribution refugees have made to Australia.

“We need to do better in providing information to the Australian people, to help them understand that asylum-seekers are not to be feared, and that their numbers are small compared to the 50,000 overseas visitors who overstay their visas every year,’’ Senator Hanson-Young said.

“We oppose offshore processing as a solution to deal with vulnerable asylum-seekers. They should be brought to the mainland and housed close to appropriate support and services, where they can be processed quickly, fairly and humanely.

“The Greens will continue to stand up for the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees and champion a more compassionate approach which a growing number of Australians agree with.’’
 

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew McGarry – 0427 604 760

Greens launch refugee policy – 8th of July

Greens Refugee Policy The Practical Humane Alternative

The Australian Greens refugee policy is a compassionate, commonsense alternative to the way the old parties want to treat vulnerable asylum-seekers, according to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens Spokesperson on Immigration and Human Rights, says the Federal Government’s ill-prepared East Timor processing centre idea coupled with the Coalition’s return to the days of the notorious Temporary Protection Visas and the Pacific Solution, shows both parties are devoid of real leadership on this issue.

“Australia needs to take a genuine leadership role on helping to manage asylum seekers in our region,” Senator Hanson-Young said. “That means assessing people on our soil, increasing the number of refugees we resettle here and convincing Indonesia and Malaysia to sign the UN Refugee Convention.

“That’s why the Greens would close the failed Christmas Island detention centre in favour of community reception centres based in mainland cities.

“By ending Australia’s reliance on offshore processing, the Greens would no longer allow the Federal Government to put vulnerable asylum-seekers out of sight, out of mind.

“By increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake, the Greens would move Australia to take greater responsibility for dealing with the growing numbers of people already approved as genuine refugees by the UNHCR, who are languishing in detention overseas awaiting a new home.

“By moving to mainland processing in metropolitan centres, the Greens would ensure greater access to much-needed support and services for those fleeing persecution, rather than maintaining a regime of punitive detention on remote islands or “desert prisons”.

The Greens would:

* Close Christmas Island and use a portion of the money already earmarked for use on the island – $973 million over four years – to set up Community Reception Centres in mainland cities.

* Set up a grants-based Asylum-Seeker Support Fund of $8 million over four years to assist community organisations to provide essential services for refugees and asylum-seekers. Organisations would apply for a grant of up to $100,000 to assist in the delivery of case management, health care, emergency relief, social support and housing support. The fund would be administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

* Push Australia to take a leading role in the region by hosting any regional processing centre.

* Increase Australia’s humanitarian intake to 20,000 refugees – focusing on those already waiting in detention camps in the region.

* Move to end the detention of children in Australia.

* Champion the Greens’ bill to establish a Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People to protect young non-citizens who have arrived in Australia without support.

* Move to introduce judicial review for detention decisions.

“Recent polling shows the Australian public understand the realities better than some of their leaders – 83 per cent believe those fleeing persecution deserve protection in another country and 94 per cent would use every asset at their disposal to flee to another country if their own lives and their families’ lives were under threat,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

“It’s time to get past the idea of punishing people who are fleeing persecution and instead focus on faster processing to work out who the genuine refugees are. Australia can do better, and the Greens have a plan to make it happen.”

Gillard and Abbott locked in race to the bottom

“Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott may differ on some things, but on this issue they are both backing a return to Howard’s Australia,” said the Greens’ Immigration Spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young….. read on….

Sarah Hanson-Young asks if Govt will extend suspension on SL asylum seekers

http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/asylum-seekers

Motion on war crimes passed through the Senate

Many thanks to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and The Greens for proposing the war crimes motion.

Amended Greens motion on war crimes

We have received the following amended motion that will be proposed by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young on the 24th of June 2010. We expect a vote in Federal Parliament to take place around 9.30am on Thursday.

That the Senate:

(a)        notes:

(i)     the recent report from the International Crisis Group on War Crimes in Sri Lanka;
(ii)    this report recommends, among other things, for the United Nations to conduct an independent international inquiry into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka during the last year of the conflict;

(b)        welcomes:

(i)  The United Nations Secretary General’s establishment of an Advisory Panel on Sri Lanka;
(ii) The establishment in Sri Lanka of a Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission, and urges the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the Commission operates in an independent way; and

(c)        reaffirms the importance of credible investigations into all allegations of violations of human rights, and

(d)       Calls on the Australian Government to support an effective process of national reconciliation, to allow Sri Lanka to move forward after years of conflict.