Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Howard under house arrest
Howard under house arrest
Canberra Wednesday, 19 March, 2003 : John Howard has been placed under ˜house arrest™ by Greenpeace, dressed as United Nations blue berets. Howard™s action of committing Australia to war in Iraq was found to breach articles 2(4), 42 and 51 of the UN Charter.
Under these articles UN member states œare to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Force may only be used if specificially approved by the Security Council or in self defence when a threat is immanent.�
At 6am this morning 3 vehicles carrying UN insignia blocked all access points to The Lodge, confining the Prime Minister to symbolic house arrest. Greenpeace volunteers dressed as UN personel posted themselves at the gates and locked themselves onto the vehicles.
œThere simply is no legal basis for individual UN members to take military action without UN approval,� said Greenpeace campaigner Shane Rattenbury.
œJohn Howard has engaged in legalistic cherry picking from earlier resolutions, to justify a war that has not been authorised by the majority of the UN Security Council or even the majority of its permanent members,� Rattenbury said.
Greenpeace is reinforcing the message given to John Howard loud and clear by more than half a million Australians who marched in recent peace rallies.
œIt™s not too late “ Federal Cabinet must reverse yesterday™s decision to commit Australian troops to war in Iraq and bring Australia™s troops home,� concluded Rattenbury.
Greenpeace
Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice.
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
National Maori Authority: Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
NZ Government: Comprehensive Partnership The Goal For NZ And The Philippines
DoC: Canterbury Spotted Skink In Serious Trouble
Te Pāti Māori: Oranga Tamariki Cuts Commit Tamariki To State Abuse
NZCTU: Inflation Data Shows Need For A Plan On Climate And Population
Statistics New Zealand: Annual Inflation At 4.0 Percent
