On 13 July at Al Mawasi camp, 90 people were killed on what was declared a safe zone. The United Nations noted that women and children were killed along with the first responders. Another mass casualty event took place at a refugee camp in which 22 people were killed. All were apparently safe zones! This comes days after the International Day of Reflection for the Genocide in Srebrenica in which people were slaughtered in a UN declared safe zone.
‘The world watched on and did nothing to prevent the genocide in Srebrenica. It looks like history is repeating itself. How is it the world can watch and not act with over 50,000 people slaughtered and over 20,000 children are missing’ Said Dr Rateb Jneid President of AFIC.
The absence of the Australian Government Condemnation on this atrocity is only creating more disaffection in the community, particularly when it contrasts this with is sponsoring in the United Nations for the resolution for the Remembrance Day for Srebrenica and that ready condemnation it has for Russia in the Ukraine war.
‘Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Wong, all lives are equal. All lives are precious. Palestinian and Muslim lives are not expendable, nor second class. We expect the Australian Government to act with integrity and publicly and loudly condemn the killings’ continued Dr Jneid.
AFIC again calls on the Government to lead with principles and values in relation to the Gaza, treat this the same as other conflicts. It calls on the Australian Government to do all that it can to prevent the collective punishment and brutality against the Gazan people, and demand an unconditional ceasefire, assist with unfettered aid into Gaza, put an end to hostage diplomacy holding people without charge.
AFIC, established in 1964, stands as the Peak Muslim Organisation in Australia, with 170 members including 9 State and Territory Councils. It has a rich history of pioneering numerous community services and actively advocating for the rights and representation of the Muslim community.
Authorised:
Dr Rateb Jneid, President