Monday 7th September 2015
MEDIA RELEASE: GOVERNMENT MAKES FUTURE WORSE FOR SYRIANS
Australians for War Powers Reform, which has campaigned for an inquiry into how Australia went to war in Iraq, renews its call on the Government to explain how sending the RAAF to join bombing raids in Syria can do other than add to the exodus of Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans and others from their countries. The group continues to question the legality of such military action by Australia, and asserts that before it takes place several steps are mandatory:
- The receipt by the Government of independent legal advice, for example by the Solicitor General, stating that any proposed military actions are legal under international law;
- The open publication of such advice;
- Confirmation that the Government could, if required, defend its decision at the International Court of Justice; and
- Certification by the Governor-General-in-Council that the proposed actions are lawful.
AWPR Acting President and former diplomat Dr Alison Broinowski said, “The Prime Minister has not explained why, when other countries refrain from illegally bombing Syria, it is justifiable for Australia to do so. He has not told the Australian people or the Parliament what would represent success, how that would be achieved, or at what cost. He appears to expect Australia to make an open-ended commitment to another potentially disastrous military adventure.”
On 24 March this year, PM Abbott revealed that the RAAF was already assisting US combat operations over Syria. On 8 September, he is expected to secure the agreement of the National Security Committee of Cabinet to accept a formal US invitation – reportedly secured at Australia’s behest – to have RAAF itself undertake bombing in Syria. Dr Broinowski said, “If the Prime Minister used the current sitting of Parliament to explain why Australia is widening this war, to have it debated and voted upon, responsibility for it would be shared with all MPs and the people’s House would function as it should in a democracy.”
Please see this article related to last week’s Open Letter in ABC Online
