Over 500 protesters in Canberra who commemorated the 8th anniversary of the downing of MH17, which killed 298 people including 38 Australians, have called for Russian diplomats to be expelled from Australia and urged the Australian Government to declare the government, armed forces and secret security service of the Russian Federation as terrorist organisations.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) urged protesters to write to their local MPs seeking their support to expel the Russian ambassador and diplomats.
“When in Opposition, PM Anthony Albanese called on the Australian Government to expel Russian diplomats; that “sickening abuses being carried out by Russian forces” must trigger immediate consequences; and that Australia must act in lockstep with European partners by ordering Russian diplomats and staff to leave Australia;” said Ms Kateryna Argyrou, AFUO Co-Chair.
“We are asking the Government to now do what they suggested the former government should do – order the Russian Ambassador, diplomats and staff to leave Australia,” she added.
The AFUO also called for the Russian government, armed forces and security services to be declared as terrorist organisations.
“The killing of over 10,000 innocent civilians; the torture, rape and kidnapping of citizens; and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, residential buildings and critical infrastructure in indiscriminate attacks using heavy artillery, are prohibited under international law and amount to war crimes being committed by the Russian state,“ said Co-Chair AFUO, Mr Stefan Romaniw.
The rally, which was held on 16 July outside the Russian embassy, was addressed by families of the victims of MH17, whose pain and distress was still palpable.
“The Russian world took away our family. They have expressed no sympathy. No regret. Years of lies. And now [with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine] it is gut wrenching to see more death and more lies,” said Ms Jane Malcolm, whose mother and step-father were killed on MH17.
The rally also featured a memorial prayer service and 298 empty chairs, including 80 with toys laid on them to represent the 80 children killed.
Click here to find out more about how to expel the Russian ambassador and diplomats from Australia
Click here to sign a petition to declare the Russian government, armed forces and security service as terrorist organisations
