Foreign Minister Penny Wong has publicly condemned Iran’s suppression of protesters and has reportedly summoned Iranian representatives over the brutal crackdown, but clearly Australia is sending a stronger message that its actions are unacceptable. can be sent to Iran.
Australia has imposed some sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program, but it is clear that tougher sanctions are needed to respond to the current atrocities, with more than targeted Iran’s morality police and senior leaders. It’s in line with the US, UK, and Canada, which already have strong sanctions in place.
It will be amended in December 2021 to allow for “Magnitsky-style” sanctions against individuals and entities in certain countries responsible for or complicit in heinous acts, including gross human rights abuses and violations. may be achieved with
This was a key point made by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council and the Australian Jewish Executive Council in their recent submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the human rights impact of violence in Iran.
Both pointed out that Iran’s participation in the UN Commission on the Status of Women was a farce. Not only is Iran one of only six countries not to have ratified, acceded to, or signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Iran now advocates for the abolition of the hijab and holds government accountable. are attacking protesters, including women and girls. As a liberal democracy defending women’s rights, Australia should lead the call for Iran’s removal from the Commission.
We care about these issues not only because Iran is believed to threaten Israel and develop nuclear weapons. We care for our common humanity. Women and girls stripping their hijabs and cutting their hair in the streets of Iran; demonstrators tortured and beaten as they fight for freedom; Iran protesting on the world stage and targeting itself to the regime. We are heartbroken for the athletes of But we must demand action from governments.
Again and again the Iranians have bravely protested and demanded their freedom, but sadly they have not received enough support and the protests have been quelled. This time, we must demand that they be heard before it is too late.
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