[Greens-Media] Kurdish ban vote lost

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Thursday, 17 August 2006

Kurdish ban vote lost

The Greens' disallowance motion to overturn Attorney-General Ruddock's
proscription of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) was voted down in the
Senate today. Coalition and Labor opposed the disallowance.

"The evidence is that the PKK poses absolutely no threat to Australia.
There has been a bloody confrontation between the PKK and Turkish
government forces but no act of self-determination for the Kurds. The
Greens back the position of Norway in fostering a peaceful resolution of
the conflict rather than proscribing one side," Senator Brown said.

"This prospcription has sent a shudder of concern amongst Australians of
Kurdish origin, especially those who have been given refugee status here
precisely because they supported the PKK and had to flee the region,"
Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


--------------------------------------------------------------
Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au