FOI request-DFAT (Bombing of Syria)

A$1,525
of $1,500 targetyrs ago
Successful on 16th Jan 2016 at 1:15AM.
Australia is the second largest contributor to the US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria.

We commenced carrying out airstrikes in Syria in September in the absence of a UN Security Council resolution. The Australian public still has not been provided with any evidence upon which this decision was based. All we know is that our Government claims that it is "in Syria to exercise collective self-defence of Iraq".

As hundreds of thousands of Syrians flee their country and flood the borders of Europe our Government’s claims that our operations ‘are not directed against Syria or the Syrian people’ ring a little hollow.

The impact of US-led airstrikes on civilians remains largely unknown. We do know that as of this month there have been nearly 2,000 airstrikes in Syria. We also know from a report in August that at least 459 innocent civilians, including more than 100 children, have been killed in Iraq and Syria.

Following the horrendous Paris attacks the drums of war beat ever more loudly for a military escalation against IS in Syria. But as the bombs are dropped and the missiles fired on Syria we must remember that there are still civilians there.

Well before the Paris attacks I lodged a Freedom of Information request from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade calling for copies of all cables, documents, briefs, advices, talking points and correspondence to and from the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop MP, in relation to the Government’s decision to participate in the aerial bombing of Syria.

Australians are entitled to know the true basis of the Government's decision to involve us in this military action. And, after all, don’t we owe it to the Syrian people to remain sceptical about our Government’s actions in their country?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed on 13 November 2015 that documents relevant to my request exist but I need your help to raise the money required to cover the costs and charges of this request.

Please help me to try and shed some light on why our Government felt that violence was the only option in Syria.


How The Funds Will Be Used

$1500 for DFAT charges and legal costs.

Bronze

Donors will receive a personal acknowledgement of thanks on any articles published about this matter on my blog which will be circulated on social media.

4 chosen

Est. delivery is Jan 16

Silver

Donors will receive a copy of the documents requested together with a personal acknowledgement of thanks on any articles published about this matter on my blog which will be circulated on social media.

3 chosen

Est. delivery is Jan 16

Gold

Donors will receive an email attaching a copy of the documents requested, an exclusive look at the analysis of those documents together with a personal acknowledgement of thanks on any articles published on my blog in relation to this matter which will be circulated on social media

1 chosen / 9 available

Est. delivery is Jan 16