The United Nations Youth Association of Victoria today expressed support for Iranian young people taking to the streets to protest their totalitarian Government.
“The protests in Tehran and other Iranian cities have demonstrated that Iranian young people will not sit idly by while they’re stripped of their rights by this totalitarian regime,” United Nations Youth Association of Victoria President Ruvini Leitan said today.
Celebrations of the Islamic Ashura Day holiday turned violent when citizens who felt disenfranchised by the controversial elections that gave the Ahmadinejad regime another term in power took to the streets.
Protests held throughout Iran last week were the deadliest since those held after the controversial Presidential elections in June of last year.
"The youth of Iran are looking for more liberties and are moving away from their government's religious extremism"
"It is time for Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ahmedinejad to accept that their despotic grasp on power is untenable. Young people have a history of standing up for liberty – and I’m certain Iran will be no different"
“UNYA Victoria applauds the good will of embassies located in Iran, which opened their doors as safe houses to young protesters seeking refuge from the violence, and treatment for their injuries.”
“The support from leaders of all countries that support the growth of democracy is needed in this fight against insular dictatorships denying fellow young people their basic civil rights.”
“UNYA Victoria supports these efforts to bring a legitimate and meaningful democracy to Iran.”
The United Nations Youth Association of Victoria is a volunteer organisation run solely by young people aged 14 – 24. It operates to encourage youth debate on issues of global significance.
During Copenhagen we asked you to pick up your phones and Call for Climate Action from your Federal MPs.
Well, the conference has finished and we’ve been left with the Copenhagen Accord: a non-binding agreement which 'will leave the world on a path to warming at least three degrees' – a disastrous result for our climate.
Copenhagen failed to deliver what many in the world were hoping for - a strong, legally-binding agreement that would see climate change addressed decisively.
If countries don't set themselves ambitious emissions reductions targets, all we have from Copenhagen is a feeble agreement that does nothing to avert imminent climate disaster.
However, if members of the international community like Australia step up to their responsibilities and commit themselves to strong targets of between 25-40% by 2020, there is a chance for the global community to cap warming at 2 degrees, as they have promised.
We cannot let the Australian Government pass the buck on climate change.
It is up to us, as global citizens and Australian voters, to hold our Government accountable to its promises of global leadership on climate change.
UNYA are now Calling for Stronger Climate Action.
Jump on your phone between now and Christmas, and call your Federal MP to lead Australia in stronger climate action. Just ring (02) 6277 7111 and ask for their office. (and if you're not sure on your MP's name, click here to find out through a search of your electorate).
It's easy: all you have to say is:
1. I'm a constituent in your electorate.
2. I believe climate change is the biggest threat to our world and our future.
3. Climate change needs STRONG action.
Given that Copenhagen hasn’t bound Australia to a target, but calls upon countries to nominate their own, the need for strong global leadership coming from a domestic level is more important than ever.
4. I'm asking you to lead your electorate, and Australian Parliament, in stronger climate action.
Australia can and should set the example for the global community by nominating ambitious reduction targets, so we can keep the international promise made to cap warming at 2 degrees Celsius. It's your responsibility and I'll be paying attention to what you do.
5. Next year's an election year, and my vote will be determined by those who are asking for the required action we need to see on Climate Change.
If you've called your MP already, call again and let them know that the results of Copenhagen make it even more necessary that they lead their electorate and Parliament on this issue.
Once you've called them, call Senator Penny Wong - she's the Minister for Climate Change - it's her job to act on this.
And then call Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, hey - he's the leader of Australia, he can lead the charge for our campaign!
The best thing is, you can get to all of their Offices through the Parliament House Switchboard: (02) 6277 7111.
And finally, ask your friends and family to also call their MPs to stronger climate action!
If you're worried about being one of only a few who call - don't be! Not only have UNYAns and their families and friends made the call, the afternoon after our first call to action, GetUp! launched their campaign to get Australians on their phones and calling K-Rudd about his bullying tactics at Copenhagen. I rang Rudd's Office and they mentioned they'd be receiving huge numbers of phone calls that afternoon!
So be part of a real solution and get Calling for Stronger Climate Action!