Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens MLA for Yerrabi, today challenged the Chief Minister to follow through on divestment from companies involved in the State of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian Territories and its invasion of Gaza.
"As a human rights jurisdiction, it is untenable for the ACT Government to continue investing in companies that are profiting from some of the most significant human rights abuses seen this century," said Mr Braddock.
"The scale of human suffering has only got worse since the 7th of February when I moved a divestment motion.
"While we've all watched these horrors continue to unfold, there has been increasing evidence of apartheid and genocide, leading to statements made by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice."
The UN Commissioner for Human Rights has identified companies supplying weapons to the State of Israel, including two in which the ACT Government currently invests.
"I am dismayed to learn the ACT Government has investments in two arms manufacturers supplying weapons to the State of Israel, which is why today I challenged the Chief Minister on his progress in response to my divestment motion.
"Sadly, the Chief Minister is yet to fully commit to divestment and deliver the reform that Canberrans expect."
The ACT Labor conference passed a range of motions last Saturday, including supporting immediate recognition of Palestine, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and significant associated actions that the ACT Government can take to divest itself from complicity in the genocide.
"Following significant pressure from the community and his own party, I hope the Leader of the ACT Labor Party will take action and the ACT Government will finally stop profiting from people's suffering," said Mr Braddock.
Background:
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called on states and companies to end arms transfers to Israel in a press release on 20 June 2024.
It contains the following extract, with ACT Government investments in red:
In line with recent calls from the Human Rights Council and the independent UN experts to States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, arms manufacturers supplying Israel - including BAE Systems, Boeing, Caterpillar, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oshkosh, Rheinmetall AG, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, RTX, and ThyssenKrupp - should also end transfers, even if they are executed under existing export licenses.
ACT Labor Conference motions are available on their website.
Relevant resolutions include the following:
· Support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and recognition of a Palestinian state
· Divestment from Companies connected to human rights violations in Occupied Palestine
· An appropriateness and ethics commissioner to scrutinise government investments
