IPAN statement to mark WW1 centenary

www.ipan.org.au

Monday August 4th marks one hundred years since the beginning of World War I – The “war to end all wars”. Over that time, the human race has failed to change radically enough to see anything near an end to the violence and catastrophe that war inevitably brings. Put simply, nothing has changed.

Over the past 100 years we in Australia have engaged in wars leading to horrendous loss of life. It is estimated that 160 million people died in the 20th century wars.

This century Australian governments have committed our military to fight in the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq leading to the deaths of many hundreds of thousands of citizens of those countries and leaving a legacy of civil war, destruction of property and infrastructure and contamination.

The ADF losses include the deaths of 41 young Australians, 256 wounded and an unknown number of veterans returning with psychological war injuries.

The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) believe there is a need to acknowledge the root causes of war with a view to the prevention of future wars. We are aware there is great expertise to build on and apply.

The decision to participate in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars was made by the Howard Government cabinet only. There was no parliamentary debate on Australian involvement.

The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network calls for a change in the legislation relating to declaration of war whereby the whole Australian Parliament would debate and decide on any future commitment of our ADF personnel to a war.

We the undersigned support this initiative:

1. Denis Doherty Australian Anti-Bases Coalition
2. Annette Brownlie- Just Peace Qld
3. Vikki Henry- Just Peace Qld
4. Michael Henry- Just Peace Qld
5. Frances Kendall-Just Peace Qld
6. Norm Bullen-Just Peace Qld
7. Nick Deane- IPAN NSW
8. Jo Vallentine- ANTI NUCLEAR ALLIANCE WA
9. Margid Bryn-Burns- Qld Quakers
10. Dr Jenny Grounds- President MAPW
11. Peter Jones- War Resisters International
12. Wendy Turner- Australian Palestine Advocacy Network
13. Anne Magarey
14. Samantha Castro-Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance
15. Fay Waddington
16. Maree Klemm – Vice President, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Australia
17. RominaBeitseen – Campaign for International Co-operation and Disarmament (CICD)
18. Ben Leeman
19. Des Ritchie M A. B, Com. O A M
20. Gareth Smith
21. Maxine Caron
22. Justin Tutty,BaseWatch (NT)
23. LarysaFabok
24. Rebecca Edmonds
25. Willy Bach- Stand Fast Australia
26. Wendy Flannersy- Believing Women for a Culture of Peace
27. Valerie Joy- Quakers
28. Kathy Teakle, WILPF member
29. Janette McCleod- WILPF Australia Board.
30. Dr Peter Wigg- MAPW
31. Ron Monaghan-Secretary Qld Council of Unions
32. Margot Salom
Annette Brownlie, Independent and Peaceful Australia Network