[Greens-Media] Spam: New evidence of war crimes: PM Abbott must end policy of appeasement with Sri Lanka – Greens

[Stahel, Peter (Sen C. Milne)]

New evidence of war crimes: PM Abbott must end policy of appeasement with Sri Lanka – Greens 
 
Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says new evidence of war crimes in Sri Lanka, released by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s International Crimes Evidence Project, highlights Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s sell out of human rights and appeasement of Sri Lanka by his refusal to promote a full and independent investigation of war crimes through the United Nations. 
 
“Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s ‘turn a blind eye’ appeasement of the Sri Lankan government is a cynical political ploy to bolster his cruel refugee policies here in Australia,” Senator Milne said.
 
“New evidence of some of the worst alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity provides new impetus and urgency for the Prime Minister to reverse his appeasement of the Sri Lankan government and lead the region in supporting a full and independent investigation.
 
“World leaders including British Prime Minister David Cameron and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have placed huge pressure on Sri Lanka to cooperate with the UN but Tony Abbott gifts war ships.  This is beyond an embarrassment for Australia. 

“Australia’s refusal to drive an independent investigation into such appalling crimes and abuse of human rights demeans us globally and undermines our influence as a middle power.
 
“Evidence of indiscriminate artillery bombardment of civilians, extrajudicial killing, torture, sexual violence and other atrocities is shocking. 
 
“I am appealing to the Prime Minister to act quickly in light of this new evidence. 
 
“International support and diplomatic representation in favour of a full and independent investigation is the bare minimum Australia should do.

“I have also repeatedly raised with the Abbott and Gillard governments the post-conflict human rights abuses such as white-van abductions and attacks on the judiciary, to no avail.”