Support for Timor-Leste border
Local
Parishioners are being encouraged to get behind a campaign calling for the establishment of a border in the Timor Sea between Australia and Timor-Leste.
Archbishop Philip Wilson has written to parishes asking them to distribute a petition which seeks a ‘fair and permanent’ border based on the median line, and would allow both nations to claim what is rightfully theirs under international law. The ‘Draw the Border’ campaign says a permanent border would ‘strengthen security and give certainty regarding investment’.
In his letter, Archbishop Wilson said the petition is being distributed throughout many Catholic dioceses in Australia with the encouragement of the Bishops of Australia and he happily supported it being sent out in the Archdiocese.
“The people of Timor-Leste have long been a part of Australian history, namely being invaluable to the survival of many of our soldiers in 1942,” he wrote. “I would be grateful if you would please print these petitions out and encourage your communities to sign them.”
Australia’s ongoing refusal to have formal discussions on drawing an internationally recognised border based on the median line has led to Timor-Leste seeking a Compulsory Conciliation through the United Nations. This is in progress and a report is due in September.
Jump to next article
Comments
Show comments Hide comments