Friends of the Earth Australia
Climate Justice Campaign

Media release - 20th February, 2007

Howard’s refusal to meet Tuvaluan government condemned

John Howard’s refusal to meet with the Tuvaluan Prime Minister to discuss
the climate change crisis, as reported in The Age newspaper today,
demonstrates yet again his government’s lack of regard for human rights.

The tiny island nation of Tuvalu is one of the world’s most vulnerable to
sea-level rise and is likely to have to be completely evacuated within
decades, creating many climate refugees without a homeland.

In 2000, the Tuvaluan government appealed to Australia to provide asylum
if rising sea levels reached the point where evacuation would be
essential, only to meet with a negative response. Again in October 2006.
At the annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji the Tuvaulan
government requested a meeting with John Howard to discuss the crisis
facing the country, but was denied.

According to Tuvaluan and i-Kiribati officials, Australia also has a
history of blocking discussion on climate change and of toning down the
language on the issue in regional communiqués.

“Howard’s behaviour portrays Australia yet again as a very poor global
citizen. Despite Australia having one of the highest per capita greenhouse
emissions, the Howard government has not only refused to ratify the Kyoto
Protocol, but also refuses to take responsibility for the potentially
devastating impact of climate change on our nearest neighbours.” said Ms
Brindal.

“Australia should be putting policies in place to accept climate refugees
and working at an international level within the United Nations to ensure
appropriate recognition of climate refugees. By doing so, Australia would
be leading the way in climate change policy that acknowledges and responds
to the protection of human rights” said Ms Brindal.

“One of the islands in Tuvalu has already disappeared. I know Tuvalu will
be one of the first countries to sink and I want the Australian government
to do something about it” says Foga Clements, a Tuvaluan who is now living
in Brisbane. For many Pacific Islanders, coming to Australia is the last
thing they want. However, for some there will be no choice.

In January of last year the ALP released a discussion paper, ‘Our Drowning
Neighbours’, which proposes that Australia help to develop a coalition of
Pacific Rim countries willing to accept people displaced as a result of
climate change. Friends of the Earth supports the proposals in the
discussion paper and urges the ALP to translate them into policy.

More information:
Friends of the Earth Emma Brindal ph: 0411 084 727