Yesterday on Radio National’s Perspective, Philippe Sands talked about his book, Lawless World. He makes the telling point that “seen from abroad, John Howard’s government has given a pretty good impression of having scant regard for global rules, whether they relate to the treatment of refugees, the use of force in Iraq, or international efforts to address the potential threats posed by global warming. But ignoring international law – or choosing to opt out of bits of it – is not without its costs. For a start, it affects your reputation internationally, with your neighbours and globally”
A key concern of mine is the long-term damage Australia will do to its standing in world fora as an upholder of international laws and agreements by thumbing our nose at these same laws and agreements. The most glaring examples are complicity in the treatment of detainees in Iraq and mandatory detention of asylum seekers. When our government contravenes international law and human rights conventions it is not in our national interest, though done in our name.
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