Ronaldson supports condemnation of holocaust conference

Media Release

RONALDSON SUPPORTS ECAJ IN ITS CONDEMNATION OF IRANIAN HOLOCAUST CONFERENCE

Senator Michael Ronaldson, Liberal Senator for Victoria today expressed outrage at the Holocaust-denial conference being convened by the Government of Iran, supporting earlier condemnation by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). Senator Ronaldson called on the Government of Iran to immediately terminate the conference and acknowledge it as a misguided undertaking.

“This conference represents a malicious attempt to undermine the very humanity upon which our civilisation is based.” Senator Ronaldson said.

“Free speech is an important value in modern vibrant democracies.”

“But repugnant, demeaning state-sponsored historical revisionism embodied by this conference has no place in modern society.”

“The Iranian Government’s position on this issue is lamentable in the extreme.”

“There is no place for governments of any ideological persuasion to give succour to positions such as these that are both highly offensive and inflammatory.”

“I have today written to the Hon Alexander Downer MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs stating my position in regard to this repugnant conference in no uncertain terms and calling for prompt action to unequivocally put the Australian Government’s position.”

“It is incumbent upon the Government of Iran to immediately terminate the conference proceedings as a demonstration of their commitment to international peace.”

11 December 2006

(For those who wish to send an email directly to Sen Ronaldson here is the email address accidentally omitted from my letter senator.ronaldson@aph.gov.au )