Senate debates
Wednesday, 5 February 2025
Questions without Notice
Syria: Human Rights, Australian Defence Force
2:57 pm
Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source
Thank you for the question, Senator Rennick. In relation to the last assertion, I would reject that, and I would say to you that Australia always should and continues to support international law and human rights. Obviously, how we reflect that support varies. It may be by bilateral consultations, public statements, what we talk to people about privately or what we talk about publicly. Given who we are and the values and interests that Australia has, international law, including respect for human rights, matters to us.
You are correct that the Assad regime had form. Obviously, that ends decades of brutal oppression, and we hope it could be the end of what has been a horrific period for Syrians marred by conflict, division and displacement. I articulated previously, at the time of the overthrow of the Assad regime, a call on all parties to protect civilians, refrain from violence and prioritise dialogue. In relation to the organisation which was involved in the overthrow and is also part of the current Syrian regime, which is Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, I would say to you that Australia listed HTS as a terrorist organisation in 2022 due to concerns over its conduct. Obviously, we again would say it's critical that Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and other armed groups who are now in control protect all Syrian civilians. Like other partners, we will be watching the actions of HTS in the period ahead.
No comments