Andrew Bartlett (Queensland, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of the Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Allison, I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

on 7 September 2001, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared that the International Day of Peace should be observed annually on the fixed date of 21 September, as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, and

(ii)

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has repeatedly urged member states of the UN to support the observance of a global ceasefire on the day, arguing that a global ceasefire would:

(a)

provide a pause for reflection by the international community on the threats and challenges faced,

(b)

offer mediators a building block towards a wider truce, as has been seen in nations such as Ghana and Zambia,

(c)

encourage those involved in violent conflict to reconsider the wisdom of further violence,

(d)

provide relief workers with a safe interlude for the provision of vital services and the supply of essential goods,

(e)

allow freedom of movement and information, which is particularly beneficial to refugees and internally-displaced persons, and

(f)

relieve those embroiled in violent conflict from the daily burden of fear for one’s own safety and the safety of others;

(b)

supports the Australian organisations that intend to hold vigils, concerts and walks on 21 September 2006, in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin and Brisbane;

(c)

calls on the Government to actively support the observance of a ceasefire in Afghanistan, East Timor, Iraq and the Solomon Islands on 21 September 2006 by ensuring that Australia’s armed forces:

(i)

do not engage in hostilities for the duration of 21 September, unless provoked to do so in self-defence,

(ii)

promote the observance of a global ceasefire for the duration of 21 September, and

(iii)

promote the practice of non-violence for the duration of 21 September; and

(d)

requests that the Government encourage other nation states to follow its lead.

Question negatived.