Sada-e-Watan Sydney ™- Leading Australian Pakistani Newspaper

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Govt of Pakistan confers Highest Civil Award to the veteran Australian Politician Lee Rhiannon

On behalf of the President of Pakistan the High Commissioner H.E. Babar Amin conferred the Medal of “Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam” to Former Senator Hon. Lee Rhiannon

On Tuesday, 3rd November 2020, A special ceremony was held at the High Commission for Pakistan in Canberra, Australia to award Pakistan Presidential medal “Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam” to the veteran Australian Politician and Former Senator Ms. Lee Rhiannon.

High Commissioner Babar Amin

The Medal was conferred by the High Commissioner H.E. Babar Amin on behalf of the President of Pakistan. The ceremony was attended by Australian dignitaries,

MC; Mr. Zain ul Abidin

prominent persons, and members of Pakistani community from different walks of life. The New First Secretary of the Pakistan High Commission Canberra Mr. Zain ul Abidin was MC of the event.

Hon. Lee Rhiannon a veteran Australian politician and former Senator has been raising her voice for human rights across the world, especially for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). She has been at the forefront in highlighting the plight of Kashmiris in the New South Wales and Australian parliaments as well as other forums raising public awareness about the issue.

H.E. Babar Amin

The High Commissioner Mr. Babar Amin, while addressing the occasion, conveyed deep appreciation of the people and government of Pakistan on Ms. Rhiannon’s principled position and her voice for the subjugated people of Kashmir. He also highlighted former Senator's support for the Australians of Pakistani origin and being available for taking up their matters.

Former Senator Lee Rhiannon, while speaking to the ceremony expressed her deep appreciation for the honour. She thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the Award.

Former Senator Lee Rhiannon

Former Senator Lee Rhiannon stated that Kashmiri people were facing immense human rights violations, however, most people were unaware about it. The issue was cloaked by the narrative that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India which needed to be rectified. She added that India and Pakistan were both nuclear powers so the issue of Kashmir assumed a core significance.

Referring to the two Reports of the UN Office of the Human Rights Commissioner on the situation in Kashmir, issued in 2018 and 2019, she appreciated Pakistani position for accepting them, whereas India rejected. She also spoke about the further deterioration of human rights and humanitarian and human rights situation following the illegal Indian actions of 5 August 2019 coupled with military siege, demographic apartheid, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and violation of women's modesty.

The participants of the ceremony highly lauded the services of former Senator Lee Rhiannon and praised the decision of the government for recognising her principles based work.