savethesheikh.com

With the 2010 Australian Federal Election only days away, we seem to have a choice between a bad candidate and a worse candidate. You may be asking, “What’s the point of voting?”

Here’s a way in which you can make your vote count for something, regardless of who you vote for and regardless of which candidate wins. Write the words, “Justice for Sheikh Mansour” across the top of your ballot.

Writing on your ballot paper will NOT invalidate your vote unless you either write across the ballot boxes or add your name.  Avoid these mistakes and you can validly vote for whoever you like while still making a stand for justice.  The scrutineers will read your statement and report back.

Full instructions are on the campaign poster, which you see thumbnailed above-left.  Click here or the pic to open the full-size poster.  Then print off multiple copies and stick them up all over the place. Alternatively, if you’d like a smaller A5 flyer to give out to all your friends, you can grab it here.

Please get behind this campaign and make your vote count for something!

Labor Abandons Human Rights: Sheikh, Family Pay Terrible Price

Greens Candidate for Grayndler, Sam Byrne, has condemned the Rudd Labor Government’s decision to deport Sheikh Mansour Leghaei.

“After 16 years in Australia, the Sheikh and his family are paying a terrible personal price for the government’s cowardice in the lead up to the Federal election,” Sam Byrne said.

“Labor’s desperation to pander to racism has led to this decision, in defiance of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and any principles of natural justice.”

“Once again Labor is abandoning any principle. If they don’t stand for human rights, what do they stand for?”

“I call on the Government to reverse its decision, and at the very least release these secret old ASIO allegations against the Sheikh and give him a chance to respond.”

“Sheikh Leghaei has made a substantial contribution to multi-faith dialogue and our local community, and we will continue to support him.”

Sam Byrne

Contact Sam on 0408 231 509

Also from the Greens:

1. Dale Mills writes in Green Left that the deportation of Sheikh Mansour is another instance of the Australian government silencing people it doesn’t agree with (click here).
2. Senator Scott Ludlam of the Greens has advised that he will ask questions on notice in parliament to the Minister for Immigration and to ASIO about Australia’s failure to respond to the UN’s request to put a halt to Sheikh Mansour’s deporation.