Pressuring the Assad regime
WHILE peak Jewish community organisations unanimously welcomed new Australian sanctions against Syria announced this week, one said the government could do more.
WHILE peak Jewish community organisations unanimously welcomed new Australian sanctions against Syria announced this week, one said the government could do more.
The sanctions announced by Foreign Minister Bob Carr restrict trade between Syria and Australia across entire sectors, covering trade in oil, petroleum, financial services, telecommunications and precious metals.
Carr said the new sanctions, which are in addition to an existing arms embargo and financial and travel sanctions, were necessary to increase pressure on the Assad regime, which has refused to abide by United Nations Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s peace plan.
“The Assad regime continues to show its unwillingness to negotiate a ceasefire and bring an end to Syria’s bloodshed,” he said.
“These sanctions reflect Australia’s condemnation of the Assad regime, and our continued efforts to help bring Syria to the a table.”
While reacting positively to the sanctions announcement, Australia/ Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein urged the government to do more.
“The latest Australian announcement of sanctions directed against Syria is very welcome,” he said.
“However, while international sanctions are necessary, they are not a sufficient response to the bloodshed and turmoil that has caused so much death and suffering among innocent Syrian civilians.
“We would urge the Australian government to continue working with our allies and the wider international community to explore additional measures to undermine the tyranny being inflicted by the Assad regime.”
Zionist Federation of Australia president Philip Chester said he endorsed the sanctions “on the brutal and destructive Assad regime” of Syria.
“The continued human rights abuses perpetrated by Assad on his own citizens cannot be tolerated by any humane, democratic society. Any and all diplomatic sanctions and other strategies must be enforced to deter continued killings of innocent civilians,” he said.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Danny Lamm also commended the Foreign Minister’s announcement.
“Even though the volume of Australia’s trade with Syria is small, the Australian government’s announcement of additional sanctions against Syria is very welcome,” he said.
GARETH NARUNSKY
Foreign Minister Bob Carr
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