2022-03-19
The Australian Greens are calling upon the global community to Unite for Peace by reconvening the United Nations Emergency Special Sessions and use the power of Resolution 377A(V) to end Putin’s armed aggression against the sovereignty of Ukraine.
Enacting the Uniting for Peace Resolution 337A(V) would allow the international community to rapidly utilise a range of non-violent mechanisms to bring the conflict to an end, maintain Ukrainian sovereignty and ensure people have what they need to survive.
Quotes Attributable to Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Peace and Disarmament:
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is catastrophic for global peace. We must do all we can to end the war and find peaceful solutions to the crises it has created. There must be an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian troops.
“Right now, our future is in the hands of a small number of global leaders who have weapons at their fingertips. To ensure we achieve peace, we need the global community to respond collectively and decisively to de-escalate war and to ensure people have the food, shelter, and safety that is necessary to survive.
“The Australian Greens are calling on the global community to Unite for Peace, and agree to support a range of non-violent measures by reconvening the United Nations Emergency Special Session and using the power of Resolution 377A(V) to find non-violent mechanisms to end the war.
“This includes a global ban on the purchase of Russian oil and gas, debt forgiveness for Ukraine, and other targeted sanctions on Russia.
“The Australian Greens Towards Peace plan prioritises finding peaceful solutions to address the crises we are facing as a global community; whether it’s an immediate end to the war in Ukraine, or uniting to tackle the climate crisis.”
Quotes Attributable to Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
“The cost of war is borne by ordinary people. The Australian Government must show its solidarity with the people of Ukraine; and with Russians protesting against Putin’s war, under threat of persecution from their imperious dictator.
“We welcome the positive steps taken to date by the Australian Government, but there is more that can be done. Australia must also work multilaterally to push for global divestment from Russian oil and gas. Russia earnt $US 119 billion from oil and gas revenue in 2021. Money paid to Russia for fossil fuels is funding Putin’s war machine.
“We should also be advocating for forgiveness of Ukraine’s $US 129 billion debt, and increasing our refugee intake by 20,000 to give a home to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.”