Australia proposes restricting military exports over human rights violation risks
Crossbench members of the Australian parliament plan to introduce a bill that would prohibit the use of Australian defence equipment, technology or services in cases where this could violate the country’s international human rights obligations.
As The Guardian reports, the package of bills called “red lines” is due to be introduced on Monday. The initiative is backed by independent Senator David Pocock and MP Sophie Scamps, the Greens, as well as independent politicians Lidia Thorpe, Andrew Wilkie and Fatima Payman.
Restrictions on defence exports
The initiators expect that the new rules will help end Australia’s involvement in producing components for F-35 fighter jets, which, according to the publication, are used by the Israeli Air Force in Gaza. The bill could also restrict investments by companies and institutions in activities linked to illegal settlements and serious violations of international law, its supporters say.
The authors of the legislative initiative state that it is intended to bring Australian rules into line with international human rights obligations and provides for the creation of an independent anti-genocide commissioner. Major companies, defence enterprises and government bodies, under their plan, would have to report on genocide risks in their operations and supply chains and take response measures.
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Politicians’ positions
Pocock said that the largest number of appeals from his constituents concern human rights and, in his words, genocide in Gaza. He also said that he had received thousands of letters from Canberra residents concerned about indiscriminate killings abroad.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong had previously described Australia’s contribution to the F-35 supply chain as “non-lethal.” Defence Minister Richard Marles accused critics of spreading disinformation and noted that Australia has participated in the program for decades under a multilateral agreement with the US company Lockheed Martin, rather than directly with Israel.
Scamps said that the proposed rules should help avoid the unwitting complicity of business and government in war crimes, genocide and other human rights violations. The Labor Party, according to the publication, is not expected to be among the supporters of the private member’s bill.
