Green Grrl

Follows is a media statement from Frank Habineza, Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda that outlines some serious threats to democracy in Rwanda. I call on our Australian Government to show international leadership by publicly condemning these acts of repression.

Media and democratic rights violations in Rwanda

The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, would like to bring to the attention of the public the malicious reports of some media houses in Rwanda.

The party would like to point out that some people believed to be state agents have since, 30th October 2009, subjected our members to all forms of harrassment, intimidation and illegal arrest.

The same tactics are also now being used on the first opposition party, Parti Social Imberakuri (PS Imberakuri), which has confirmed a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2010 Presidential elections. They have started parading people on National Television and giving them free airtime exceeding 10 minutes, condemning a presidential candidate.

It’s sad that the same tactics refered to above are being used on PS Imberakuri and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. We request the gorvenment to refrain from these non-democratic means.

After 15 years in power, RPF should create a leveled ground and let other political parties freely work and participate in all national elections.

We strongly do not agree with the actions of RPF led government on the complete suppression of independent media and voice in Rwanda. The harassment has intensified, causing most of independent journalist to either free the country or face false imprisonment, harassment, beating, and so on. Also as a result, most post-genocide newspapers have closed down or are in process of closing down, due to various government policies aimed at suppressing the media and independent voice in
Rwanda.

UMUSESO and UMUVUGIZI Newspapers, are continuously and consistently been harassed and denied their media and press rights by the present government, an act aimed to see them closed down, they have been denied adverts from all public institutions an
act aimed at making them financially bankrupt and have been dragged to court several times.

The latest victim being Mr. Gasasira John Bosco, the Managing Editor of UMUVUGIZI Newspaper, who is presently in court for some charges of defamation. While in most countries, defamation is considered a civil case, the present regime in its efforts to check on people’s freedoms, enforce people’s fear of self-expression, self-censorship, and completely eliminate independent voice in the country; defamation has been legislated a criminal offence, punishable with up to five years in prison.

We strongly protest these actions and also request the judiciary to be independent from the Executive.

We call for a fair judgment and request the international community to observe these issues seriously.

Issued at Kigali, 11/11/2009

Frank HABINEZA
Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda/
President, African Greens Movement ( AfGM)/
Co-Africa Representative to Global Greens Coordination (GGC)

Below is an exerpt from a speech that Severn Suzuki (now Cullis-Suzuki) gave to the Plenary Session at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Severn was 12 years old. At age 9, she formed ECO, the Environmental Children’s Organization. Born in 1979 (3 years younger than me), she must now be 30. It’s strange to think that, 17 years on, even a speech as powerful as this did not change the hearts and minds of world leaders.

“At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us to behave in the world. You teach us:

not to fight with others,
to work things out,
to respect others,
to clean up our mess,
not to hurt other creatures
to share - not be greedy.
Then why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do?

Do not forget why you’re attending these conferences, who you’re doing this for — we are your own children. You are deciding what kind of world we will grow up in. Parents should be able to comfort their children by saying “everyting’s going to be alright” , “we’re doing the best we can” and “it’s not the end of the world”.

But I don’t think you can say that to us anymore. Are we even on your list of priorities? My father always says “You are what you do, not what you say.”

Well, what you do makes me cry at night. You grown ups say you love us. I challenge you, please make your actions reflect your words. Thank you for listening.”

*Severn Suzuki (now Cullis-Suzuki)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=2028159797

Dear The Herd & Kram,

KRAM: I’ve been a fan of Spiderbait’s music since the 1990s and have enjoyed your personal spots on TV in recent years. However, I have to say that my support for your work ceases today.

THE HERD: I’ve absolutely loved your music and really like the direction your political commentary has taken in the past. Today I am stumped by the discovery you are supporting the coal industry.

I write to express how upset I am to hear that you are both a special guest at Coal to Coast taking place in Queensland, Mackay specifically full of sponsors from the coal industry.

With climate change a crisis concern and with Queensland a global embarrassment, it has taken me by surprise that you would support such a cause.

Today my support for you and your work ends - I may look back on Spiderbait and The Herd with the nostalgia that the music deserves, but I will no longer follow nor support your future work.

I’d appreciate an explanation - and therefore request one - but I can’t imagine a good reason why you’d support this activity.

A perplexed ex-fan,

Elissa Jenkins.

Dear Mr Tony Burke MP,

As a public relations practitioner, the news regarding you using Gunns’ promotional material for your Ministerial statements in Parliament didn’t sit well with me at all. I appreciate your own media advisors may brief you, but it would be great if you and them could work together with groups outside of Gunns (e.g. university academics, Forests for Lawyers, Wilderness Society) that could assist you in gathering the facts and therefore a full understanding of this important issue - an issue that continues to fly in the face of what Australians consider important, namely biodiversity and climate change.

I attended a Biodiversity Summit on Saturday in Canberra and learnt a great deal about the latest scientific evidence surrounding the value of carbon storage in old growth forests in fighting climate change along with the legal and policy changes that need to take place in Australia and internationally with respect to forests and biodiversity. I hope some of your staff attended as well.

I urge you and your team to set the record straight with a statement of fact.

Yours sincerely,

Elissa Jenkins

Time to heal, not hate - Brown

Those pursuing destructive hate rather than constructive compassion in the wake of the Victorian bushfire tragedy should haul off, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

“There are media commentators who have gone out of their way to vilify people, including, by inference, many who have died, for having a different view on life, including a love for local bushland and wildlife,” Senator Brown said.

“While there can be no censorship, some of this commentary is callous, unwarranted and distressing to people already suffering from the tragedy.”

Senator Brown reiterated that the Australian Greens’ well-publicised policy is for prescribed burn-offs.

“There is enormous sympathy and compassion from the nation in the wake of the fires but the decided nastiness of some commentators is adding to rather than helping the distress.

“This is a time for coming together rather than dividing our community even before the victims have all been accounted for,” Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown said that he has written to the Prime Minister suggesting that the Commonwealth seeks to join Victoria in the establishment of the Royal Commission into the bushfires.

Dear Courier-Mail Editor,

As a Moorooka resident, I must declare that Liberal Member Gary Hardgrave does not speak for me in saying that my suburb is “exhausted” by the “influx” of African refugees and that we “need a break”.

I would like both local businesses and residents to know that I was not interested in purchasing a house at Moorooka until I visited the suburb and realised how beautiful and cosmopolitan the area had become.

Living in a suburb with a rich World War II history, I believe it’s an absolute pleasure and privilege to welcome peace and harmony to those fleeing from war-torn countries.

After reading about the blatant genocide taking place in Dafur in Sudan, crying over the rape of women by militia and experiencing shock regarding the recruitment of child soldiers across a number of African nations, I cannot help but smile when I find myself shopping, travelling and playing alongside my new African neighbours. I smile because I am glad that they are now safe.

When ogling over the beautiful African babies, a friend and I delight in imagining them growing up with an Australian accent.

As a first generation Australian of Italian heritage, a culture that was instrumental in transforming food in Australia, I revel in the new African delicacies I discover each time I visit a new restaurant that’s popped up nearby.

My new neighbours bring colour and life to my world and I smile wisely in the knowledge that their alternative in their home countries lacked lustre and brought only trauma.

As a member of Southside Peace Group, I’ve had some members of the local community look at me strangely when I have exclaimed that the Liberal Party’s policies are inherently racist.

Today’s front page headlines featuring Gary Hardgrave have confirmed that his leadership is encouraging racial discrimination in my community. We must vote him out.

If you, like me, say no to war and racism and wish to vote the Liberal Hargrave out, please visit www.southsidepeacegroup.org.

The problem with being a public relations specialist, it makes me sick to the stomach to have to read through the absolute media spin developed by these four stakeholders in the Gunns Pulp Mill.

Stringent environmental standards indeed. Has EVERYONE forgotton that trees and animals make up the environment and not just humans?

Give me a break.

Professionally, I extend my congratulations to the strategists that came up with this little gem.

EVERYONE comes out looking like a saint.

*puke*

It is with regret that I announce that I am standing down as the Greens Candidate for Moreton.

Please know this decision does not come easily, but unusual recent events and undue pressure means I must pay closer attention to my health, family, friends, home, garden, pets, hobbies and ecological footprint.

If you’re interested in learning more, please feel free to contact me for further information - elissa@elissa.info.

Go Greens! I’m still a member! Join today at www.qld.greens.org.au.

Elissa.

I went along to a Family Fun Day today at Kuraby organised by the Your Rights At Work team.

It was a beautiful sunny day out and it seemed like everyone was having a great time, especially the kids. Moreton is a very multicultural area and that was reflected on the day. I love spending time with people from different cultures to my own, so I felt very much at home!

I judged a colouring in competition and drew a raffle. It was also important and telling to see that local small businesses had donated prizes in support of this campaign. Aside from that I pretty much just sat around with my fellow Greens enjoying the sunshine and having the occasional chat with those keen to learn more about Greens industrial relations policies.

Congratulations to the Your Rights At Work team for organising this great day, giving families the chance to have a bit of time out, a bit of fun and - most of all - the knowledge that there are people working hard to speak out in favour of sensible work/life policy options. And thank you to CFMEU for sponsoring the event.

When’s the next one!?

This morning I volunteered on a stall at Rocklea Markets, helping out the Southside Peace Group.

The group is calling on the federal government to immediately remove Australian troops from Iraq and urging our local federal representative Gary Hardgrave to relay that message on our behalf.

97 people signed the petition on the day. It was very well received.

If you live in the Moreton electorate and would like a copy of the petition so you too can get signatures from your friends, family and workmates, please e-mail me at elissa@elissa.info or call me on 0418 786 986 and I can arrange a copy to be e-mailed or posted to you.

Howard and Rudd in bed with the coal industry - Greens Ad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kahjxSuOqA

Teenage affluenza is spreading fast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFZz6ICzpjI

Mattresses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEwfQMT5Zco

Polar Bears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK6KZE4gxa0

Green Day - Working Class Hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgeDhGzKY

Joni Mitchell helps the Greens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXtUaxvqoAc

You can’t believe us …

If you can’t hear us.

Dear Editor,

I write in response to the The Sunday Mail article ‘Fishing Fears for Livelihood’, offering a different perspective to that which resonates throughout the piece. Mine is one inspired by that lovable penguin, Happy Feet.

I adore the recreational opportunities Moreton Bay Marine Park offers such as sailing and snorkelling and have, since a tiny tot, enjoyed recreational fishing with my father.

I am a water baby and therefore appreciate the happiness, the challenges and the calm that the Bay brings to my life.

However, as a Marine Park, it really must be protected for future generations of holidaymakers, seafood consumers and – of course – its diverse and precious native flora and fauna.

Therefore I am delighted to hear that the State Government’s rezoning review has identified that at least 10% of the park be zoned green, restricting fishing.

It takes guts, but Queenslanders must show courage and demand that our commercial fishing sector use sustainable fishing practices and demand that our government encourages and enforces such practices.

Taking any other action makes a mockery of Happy Feet’s important educational message.

Instead of doing a cute little dance, my heartsong goes out to all Queenslanders – and not just those who live by the Bay - to truly acknowledge that on our doorstep is a water wonderland worth preserving; a place that a myriad of animals and plants call home including whales, dolphins, dugongs, sea birds, fish and crabs.

Why not send your own heartsong to Queensland Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and, while you’re at it, support the leadership that a wide range of environment groups are showing on this issue – groups such as Australian Marine Conservation Society, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Queensland Conservation Council and Friends of the Earth.

Happy Feet is an Academy Award-winning Australian-produced animated film. It offers an easy message that even children can understand. Let’s learn from it.

Elissa Jenkins
Moorooka
0418 786 986

This morning I attended a peace march held in Brisbane in solidarity of the big Peace Convergence happening at Shoal Water Bay this coming week and weekend to request that the Talisman Sabre Wargames be stopped.

The march began at St Mary’s Church at West End. A mock funeral took place with the Church priest leading the symbolic depiction of death as the reality of the Iraq War.

Following were women from Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom followed by many people carrying shoes to symbolise the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who have died in Iraq.

I did the environmentally-friendly thing and cycled into the rally which I thoroughly enjoyed.

In the evening I attended a big Peace Gig at Souths League’s Club in the evening featuring a number of local musicians and bands. One band in particular were very good - Grassroots Street Orchestra.

Good luck to all attending the Peace Convergence. I was hoping to make it, but have other commitments. My thoughts will be with you.