[Greens-Media] Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, jailed by China, welcomed by the NSW Parliament

[Nic Clyde]

Media Release from Ian Cohen MLC
27.02.08
 
 
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, jailed by China, welcomed by the
NSW Parliament
 
Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen today welcomes Nobel Peace Prize
nominee and celebrated Uighur human rights activist Ms Rebiya Kadeer to
the NSW Parliament.
 
Ian Cohen will put a motion before the Upper House today calling on the
House to recognise Ms Kadeer’s work and to acknowledge that Australia
is uniquely positioned to play a crucial role in helping China to
improve its human rights record.
 
“I support Rebiya Kadeer’s work to inform the Australian people and
this Parliament of China's systematic, gross and ongoing human rights
violations of the Uighur people, who have been persecuted since China
annexed their country, East Turkestan in 1949,” said Mr Cohen.
 
“Amnesty International Australia state that the Uighur are
‘subjected to arbitrary detention, violence and killings’ and
that as a people ‘they face severe restrictions on their religious
freedom and their social and cultural rights’.
 
“The staging of the Beijing Olympics provides an ideal opportunity
for the Chinese Government to go on their own journey of reconciliation
with the Uighur people, by beginning with the word ‘sorry’.
 
“In 2004 she was honoured with the Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize - a
Norwegian human rights award; whilst in 2006 she was nominated for the
Nobel Peace Prize.
 
“I hope Ms Kadeer’s presence here today encourages members of this
Parliament to commit to doing everything they can to pressure the
Chinese Government to respect the human rights and dignity of the Uighur
people.
 
“This Parliament is privileged to host a visit from someone as
distinguished as Rebiya Kadeer,” said Mr Cohen.
 
Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466
To arrange an interview call Nic Clyde on 0417 742 754

Nic Clyde
Adviser, Greens MLC Ian Cohen
Macquarie Street, Sydney, 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3305, Fax: +61-2-9230 2267
Mobile: 0417 742 754
Web: www.iancohen.org.au