What are WE going to do?
A few quick things we can do that might help asylum seekers
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I'm ashamed of our Australian government for what it's doing to asylum seekers, and I'm ashamed that we accept it. I wish there were no refugees, because that would mean there were no wars or events that people had to escape with their lives from. But there are, and it happens, and so there are refugees. I'm so glad that yesterday the Australian government temporarily banned livestock exports. However, published on Tuesday 7th June: "As of yesterday, there were 47 children -- including 16 unaccompanied boys and girls -- as well as a single pregnant woman being held in "atrocious" isolation on Christmas Island as they await deportation to Malaysia."This is the reaction from the Australian government to people smuggling, as well as recent protests from asylum seekers and refugees in detention centres. These asylum seekers that are being sent to Malaysia could be genuine refugees, but they also just happen to be part of a deal to 'deter people smugglers'. But is this the right thing to do? Will people smugglers be deterred by 47 children being sent to Malaysia so the Labor Party will look like it's tough on border security? According to SBS Online: "Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said at the weekend there could be no blanket ban on sending children to Malaysia as that would would send a message to people smugglers and asylum seekers that the way to reach Australia was to send children who could then sponsor the rest of the family."But how can a person with as much responsibility as Chris Bowen, the Australian Immigration Minister, honestly believe this is the right thing to do? “Australia will be sending children into an extremely vulnerable situation – especially girls,” said Amnesty International Australia's refugee spokesman Dr Graham Thom. Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention. The United Nations has completed a review of Australia's refugee policies and practises and has called on Australia to reconsider mandatory detention. The government has rejected this request. Watch Go Back to Where You Came From, the new SBS show about asylum seekers, refugees, and racists. |
What can we do? We can be determined to not accept this any more. Write a letter: It's a great idea to write to your local member of parliament (both State & Federal) and put pressure on them to engage with this issue publicly. Rather than addressing all letters to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen, putting pressure on every single member of parliament is crucial. You can also write to your favourite newspaper, television station and radio station urging them to change the way they report about asylum seekers. You can write a letter to the editor of your favourite newspaper. You can write a letter to the UNHCR to encourage them to take a stronger position. (Instead of 'working with it' and monitoring things, and 'welcoming' the Malaysia refugee deal.) Tweet or blog: You can post information about your opinion on the governments actions in relation to asylum seekers on Twitter, Facebook and your blog. Sharing opinions and creating discussion & debate is so important. Donate: RISE: Refugees, Survivors & Ex-Detainees is a Melbourne-based organisation who liaise with asylum seekers (and the many certified refugees) who are still in detention. They send them care packages and phone cards. Donate here. You can also mail phone cards directly to RISE. ChilOut also has a great list of organisations who accept donations of toys and gifts for refugees & asylum seekers in detention. Inform Yourself: Hearing about what's happening at detention centers in Australia is shit. But, here are some places to find information: SBS World News RISE: Refugees, Survivors & Ex-Detainees Amnesty International Australia Asylum Seeker Resource Centre |
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Sample Letter to MP
You can find your electorate here, and your MP here. You can either mail or email your letter. If you provide your address you will receive a response. SAMPLE LETTER TO MP Dear _insert your MP's name here_, Like so many Australians, I have been following the progress of the proposed 'Malaysia deal' for asylum seekers (and of course watching, on SBS, Go Back To Where You Came From). I urge you, as my local member, to insist that the Australian government ends mandatory detention of asylum seekers. I disagree with mandatory detention and believe it is not in line with the UN refugee and human rights conventions. I believe community-based processing of asylum seekers is a fair & humane alternative to mandatory detention. I will not vote for a government that transfers asylum seekers to Malaysia. I urge you to in no way support the plan to transfer asylum seekers to Malaysia. As Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Convention on Refugees, I believe this is in breach of Australi's duty to refugees and asylum seekers. I believe we have a duty to assist asylum seekers and request that the government uphold that duty. Seeking asylum is not a crime, it is a right that all people should have. Sincerely, Name Address |
Sample Letter to the UNHCR
Members of the Liberal Party & the Labor Party (plus The Greens!) have indicated that if the proposed 'Malaysia Deal' does not receive the support of the UNCHR they will veto it. You can email Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and urge him to veto the deal that will send asylum seekers from Australia to Malaysia. Email: guterres@unhcr.org SAMPLE LETTER Dear Antonio Guterres, I urge you, as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to veto the Australian Government's proposal to send asylum seekers from Australia and its facility at Christmas Island to Malaysia. I believe these asylum seekers should be processed quickly & fairly in Australia, and that sending them to Malaysia is in breach of our human rights obligations as Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention. Seeking asylum is not a crime, it is a right that all people should have. Sincerely, Name Address |
All images Copyright Penny Eager 2007 - 2011
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Email: penny [at] pocketcarnival.com.au News & Info: pocketcarnival.blogspot.com |