Palestinian activist's Australian visa cancelled/Attack on free speech
Australia is supporting the Israeli occupation and settlements policy by refusing a visa to Palestinian non violent activist
Bassem Tamini, who protests against the settlements and occupation. The excuse for that that ''members of the
public will react adversely to Tamini's opinion, is a pretext, of course. What about freedom of speech?
Time for a letter to the Australian ambassador in the Netherlands
VISA OF PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST BASSEM TAMINI REVOKED
HOURS BEFORE TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA/LETTER TO AMBASSADOR
OF AUSTRALIA
SEE ALSO
https://www.astridessed.nl/visa-of-palestinian-activist-bassem-tamini-re...
TO
THE AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA IN THE NETHERLANDS
HIS EXCELLENCY
Dr B. MASON
Subject:
A demand to use your influence to revise the decision
to revoke the visa of Mr Bassem Tamini, a non violent Palestinian
activist
Dear Mr Ambassador,
The decision of the Australian Immigration Department
to revoke the visa of Mr Bassem Ramini, a non violent
Palestinian activist [1], is an utter scandal and I demand from you
to use your influence to give Mr Ramini the chance to visit Australia.
In the first place it is an attack of the freedom of speech.
Equally wrong and perhaps still worse is that the Australian
authorities, by taking such a decision, are supporting Israeli
occupation and settlement's policy, thus violating
International Law.
Besides:
The reason the Immigration Department gives for its decision,
is shameless and ridiculius
I quote from ABC News Australia
''"The department has recently been made aware of information that indicates there is a risk that members of the public will react adversely to Mr Tamimi's presence in Australia regarding his views of the ongoing political tensions in the Middle East," [2]
Even when this is true, it is nonsense.
Like Israel supporters have the right to express their opinion freely
[unless it is racist, of course], mr Ramini has the right to express
his point of view.
But what's worse according to my opinion, is the protection, by the authorities,
of the Israeli occupation and settlements policy.
Because what's the reason of mr Tamini's visit?
To speak out against the Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[3]
I don't think it's necessary to remind you of the facts, that all
the Israeli settlements, built on occupied Palestinian territories,
are illegal according to International Law. [4]
That the [nearly] 50 years Israeli occupation, which made the settlements
building possible, is not only inhuman and oppressive and has led to
numerous warcrimes, like the bloody agression wars on Gaza [5],
but is, like every other occupation in the world, an utter violation
of International Law.
Here embodied in UN Resolution 242,, 1967, which demanded from
Israel, to withdraw from all conquered areas in the june war [1967],
among else the Palestinian. [6]
By revolking the visa of an activist, who speaks out
against the injustice of the settlements and the occupation,
the Australian government de facto is supporting occupation,
oppression, warcrimes and crimes against humanity, like the
Gaza Blockade. [7]
Are the Australian authorities pointing at his earlier conviction
by an Israeli military Court [an example of serious
discrimination anyway, since only Palestinians appear for
a military Court, not Israeli settlers] [8]
Then know, that Amnesty International considered Tamini as
a ''prisoner of conscience'', and that the EU called him a ''human rights defender''
. [9]
As well Amnesty International as the EU considered the conviction
of Mr Tamini as a travesty of justice, [10]
Therefore I expect from you to use your influence and show your
government on its obligations according to International Law.
Pressure them to give mr Ramini the opportunity to visit
Australia, to utter his opinion and to defend International
Law.
I count on you.
Kind greetings
Astrid Essed
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
SEE FOR NOTES
https://www.astridessed.nl/visa-of-palestinian-activist-bassem-tamini-re...
OR
http://community.dewereldmorgen.be/blog/astridessed/2017/04/10/australia...