Time for Australia to cut lifeline of Burma’s oppressive regime

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 9 March 2010

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam is calling on the Australian Government to work with other governments to establish a UN commission of inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes being committed in Burma.

His motion to the Senate tomorrow will also seek to ensure that Australian companies with links to Burma’s oil and gas industry are not contributing to the financial stability of the military regime.

“We know that since mid January of this year more than 2,000 civilians have been forced to flee new attacks in eastern Burma with villagers being shot on sight. There’s every sign the violence will get worse in the run up to this years sham election.

“Only last week in New York an International Tribunal on Crimes against Women in Burma recommended that the UN Security Council refers Burma to the International Criminal Court and that countries in the Asia-Pacific not invest in Burma’s oil and gas industry.

“Australia has to add our full support to these initiatives.”

“The Greens fully support today’s international day of action by Karen Organisations to raise awareness and urge governments to act decisively,” he concluded.

Media Contact: Fernando 0417 174 302

Fernando de Freitas

Media Advisor

Office of Scott Ludlam & Rachel Siewert

Australian Greens Senators for Western Australia

Suite S1.36 Parliament House, Canberra ACT

P: 02 6277 3467 | M: 0417 174 302

[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>