International Issues

Support pro-democracy groups in Iran - Greens

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Thursday 10th February 2011, 1:38pm
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The Australian Greens called for greater support for pro-democracy groups in Iran at a rally outside Parliament House today. The event, organised by ‘Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran', was held on the eve of the 32nd anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, which paved the way for the Ayatollah's seizure of power.


Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said that Iranians in Iran and around the world are "united by a common dream - that their land will become free".

Offer refuge to Chinese human rights hero

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 12th January 2011, 2:42pm
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The Australian Greens have called on the Federal Government to do everything it can to assist Chinese human rights advocate Gao Zhisheng.

Mr Gao was arrested in China in February 2009 and was held in secret for more than one year. He re-emerged in late March 2010 and told journalists he had endured torture at the hands of Chinese police, only to be arrested and "disappeared" again early the next month.

Greens legal affairs spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the Australian Government must offer Mr Gao asylum and bring pressure on the Chinese authorities to release him from custody.

Government fails to cut ties with torture unit

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 8th December 2010, 4:46pm
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The Australian Greens have criticised the Government for failing to take action in response to allegations an Indonesian unit supported by Australian authorities has used torture against peaceful protestors.


On November 4 this year Greens legal affairs spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam, called on the Government to stop funding Detachment 88, an Indonesian ‘counter-terrorism' unit that has been linked to a series of human rights abuses.

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Burma Human Rights Day

Motion | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Thursday 12th March 2009, 8:04pm
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The following motion was passed unanimously by the Senate:

The Senate

Notes that:

1. the 13th of March is recognised as Burma Human Rights Day;
2. the global campaign "Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!" will commence on 13 March 2009;
3. the democratically elected parliament was not convened in Burma after the 1990 election;
4. The referendum on the current constitution was held immediately following Cyclone Nargis was a sham and the result cannot be considered credible.

Calls on the Australian Government to:

1. Use all diplomatic means to encourage the Burmese regime to make meaningful progress towards democracy and to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Sui Kyi;
2. Refuse to endorse the outcomes of the election in 2010 unless the political climate improves in Burma;
3. Press the Burmese regime to engage in genuine multi-party talks leading to an inclusive, open and transparent political process, including constitutional reform;
4. Engage other nations through the UN and other multilateral fora to press for multiparty talks and an inclusive, open and transparent political process;

Expresses its support for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma.