Robert Pether, the Australian engineer jailed for five years on trumped-up charges, remains in Iraq facing life-threatening illness, unable to leave for treatment.
A group of UN experts on cruel and degrading punishment and advocating against arbitrary detention has expressed grave concerns over Pether’s health, saying his continued detention and treatment could
amount to hostage-taking under international law.
Meanwhile, pleas to DFAT to intervene are falling on deaf ears, while it continues to train staff at the Central Bank of Iraq at Australian taxpayers’ expense. This week, the UN Office of the Human Rights Commission (OHCHR) stated,
“We urge Australian and Iraqi authorities to act without delay to ensure that Robert Pether receives appropriate specialist medical care and that any remaining obstacles preventing his departure from Iraq are urgently resolved.”
Desree Pether’s family told MWM they have yet to have an explanation as to why the Government is unwilling to act to save the life of an Australian citizen.
You can support Robert and his family here.
Robert Pether. Australian falsely accused, stuck in Baghdad, DFAT dithering
Kim Wingerei is a businessman turned writer and commentator. He is passionate about free speech, human rights, democracy and the politics of change. Originally from Norway, Kim has lived in Australia for 30 years. Author of ‘Why Democracy is Broken – A Blueprint for Change’.