[Greens-Media] Perth forum confronts rights violations in the Commonwealth as CHOGM approaches

[Torre, Giovanni (Sen S. Ludlam)]

Perth forum confronts rights violations in the Commonwealth as CHOGM
approaches
Media Release: Senator Scott Ludlam, Friday October 21st, 2011

While the Commonwealth heads of government meet in Perth to wine, dine
and network, an Australian Greens forum on Sunday, October 23 will look
at some of the ghosts haunting the gala dinner table.

Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the
Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting must be used by the Australian
Government and the public to hold member nations to account for human
rights violations. 

"For the Commonwealth to be relevant in the 21st century, it needs
meaningful human rights standards backed by decisive action. The
Australian Government must do everything it can to ensure the
Commonwealth takes a strong stand on human rights issues in regards to
all member countries."

Speakers include Rwandan Greens president Frank Habineza on political
repression in recent Commonwealth member Rwanda, and Meena
Krishnamoorthy on the Sri Lankan conflict, war crimes and the situation
facing the Tamil people in Sri Lanka today.

Mr Habineza, a recent winner of Sweden's Democracy Prize, fled Rwanda
one of the deputy leaders of his party was murdered and several others
imprisoned.  

Ms Krishnamoorthy was in Sri Lanka during the final stages of the civil
war and alleges she witnessed war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan
military against Tamil civilians. 

They will be joined by Helen Ulli Corbett - co-founder of the Committee
to Defend Black Rights and former executive officer of the Aboriginal
Legal Service - who will speak on indigenous rights.

The free public forum: 'CHOGM, Human Rights and the Commonwealth' will
begin at 5pm on Sunday at the Uniting Church in the City Hall (Queen's
Building Hall) Level 1, 97 William Street, Perth. 

Senator Ludlam, Ms Krishnamoorthy and Mr Habineza are available for
interviews on request.


Media Contact: Giovanni Torre - 0417 174 302