Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate:

(a) acknowledges the passing of Kofi Annan on 18 August 2018, and expresses its condolences to his family;

(b) notes that 19 August 2018 marked World Humanitarian Day, which is a day that honours all humanitarian and United Nations, and associated personnel, who have worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause and those who have lost their lives in the cause of duty;

(c) recognises the significant contribution made by Kofi Annan in recognising and defending the human rights of people across the world during his tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations;

(d) further notes that:

  (i) Kofi Annan served as Chair of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State—the Commission was a neutral and impartial body which sought to improve the welfare of all people in Rakhine State,

  (ii) in his role as Chair, Kofi Annan strongly condemned the attacks in Rakhine State and urged security forces to exercise restraint, and

  (iii) the final report of the Advisory Commission called on the Myanmar Government to:

(A) ensure that the return/relocation of displaced people be carried out in accordance with international standards, is voluntary, safe, and takes place in a dignified manner, and

(B) ensure dignified living conditions in camps, including improved shelter, water and sanitation, education, and access to livelihood opportunities;

(e) notes that nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled violence and persecution in the northern Rakhine province of Myanmar since August 2017; and

(f) calls on the Federal Government to assist the Myanmar Government to implement the recommendations of the final report of the Advisory Commission.

Question agreed to.