A Greens’ motion calling on Tony Abbott to press Russia to abide by an international ruling which would see Colin Russell return home for Christmas, has been passed by the Australian Senate today.
“Let’s hope that Russia listens to the Senate and rest of the international community and allows Colin Russell to return home for Christmas, as recommended by the Tribunal for the Law of the Sea,” Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said.
“It’s a relief that Colin and the others in the Arctic 30 have been released on bail but we now need Mr Abbott to make direct contact with Mr Putin, as other world leaders have done, to argue for him to be allowed to return home.”
The Senate motion read:
That the Senate:
(a) Supports the right to free assembly and peaceful protest.
(b) notes:
(i) with deep concern Russia’s disproportionate charges of hooliganism against two journalists and 28 crew of the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise (the Arctic 30) who were peacefully protesting against oil drilling in the Pechora Sea.
(ii) the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’s binding ruling which orders the release of the Arctic 30 following payment of a bank guarantee by the Dutch Government to allow them to leave the territory and maritime areas under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.
(c) urges the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to be in continuous, direct contact with the Russian Government to urge it to abide by the tribunal’s ruling and help ensure Australian citizen Colin Russell and the other 29 no longer face these disproportionate charges and are permitted to return to their homes.
Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne
