Tag: Refugees and Asylum Seekers

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Action called following leaked Nauru files

Around 70 people gathered at the office of Julie Bishop MP, minister for foreign affairs, in Subiaco this morning to send a message to the Australian Government that the abuse and conditions detailed in recently released Nauru files must end.

They also called on the government to take responsibility for the culture of secrecy that has been created around immigration detention, and to shut down Australia’s offshore detention camps.

Last week, The Guardian Australia published more than 2 000 leaked reports of assaults, sexual abuse, self-harm attempts, child abuse and terrible living conditions from inside Australia’s detention centre in Nauru.

Peaceful protesters at the event, organised by the Christian group Love Makes a Way, placed paper dolls as a symbol of the people who have been affected by abuse. Attendees wrote on each doll excerpts taken directly from the leaked reports. People present took turns in reading out the harrowing accounts.

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Syrian refugees share their story

I recently travelled to an urban refugee camp in Jordan to meet with Syrian men, women and children who have been forced to flee their home to escape war and violence.

Whilst I was there I asked refugees, “What did the war take from you?”

“Our dad.” “Dignity.” “School.” “Everything.”

Their heartbreaking responses caused me to reflect on just how much the war in Syria has impacted ordinary mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. After five long years, the conflict has come at an unconscionable human cost.  People fleeing violence have lost not only their homes, livelihoods, family, friends, but also their dignity, safety and basic human rights.

I went to Jordan on assignment with Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, to see how urgently needed food ration packs were being distributed to Syrian refugees. Many of the packs were funded thanks to the generous support of Uniting Church members in Western Australia, and it was incredible to see firsthand the difference this support was making.

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Taking a stand: love in action

Since January 2015, representatives of Northam Uniting Church have visited people detained at the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre.

The weekly visits to a few men have become a Bible study and support group for people from China, Sri Lanka, Iran, New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Some are Christians, some Muslim, some have a Hindu background. All speak English; some speak it well, some are beginner learners.

Body and sign language, as well as drawing pictures, are much needed extra means of communication. We talk about the Lectionary readings for the coming Sunday, so the men can get ready for church (a maximum of four people a week are allowed to go) or to prepare their own worship at the centre.

The readings are read and interpreted in the context of – indefinite for some – detention. They trigger childhood memories, comparison of how Christmas and other feasts are celebrated, stories about work and life in now far away countries, and accounts of how the men are treated while waiting for a visa or a day in court.

Waiting.

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Respect PNG law, close the camps, bring them here

National Director of UnitingJustice Australia, Rev Elenie Poulos, has called for the immediate transfer of all asylum seekers on Manus Island to Australia.

Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court yesterday ruled that the detention of 850 asylum seekers on Manus Island breaches the detainees’ right to personal liberty under the PNG Constitution.

Elenie is urging the Australian Government to take the opportunity to end its “brutal and immoral” policy of offshore detention.

“Barely a week goes by without new evidence of the damage we are doing to people.”

“The tragic and unnecessary death of Hamid Khazaei, highlighted on ABC TV’s Four Corners program this week; desperate detainees on Nauru attempting suicide; riots, physical and sexual assaults – report after report reinforces the devastating effect of these policies on people’s lives.”

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Palms for peace and justice

The Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees was held in locations all over the country by people wanting a better approach to Australia’s response to asylum seekers and refugees. In Perth, the event began at St George’s Cathedral with speakers, poetry and engaging testimonials. The walk was led by faith groups, holding palms as a symbol of peace, who sang and chanted through the streets of Perth.

A Palm Sunday Walk was also held in Margaret River at Prevelly Beach, well attended by Margaret River Uniting Church. Attendees laid white flowers in the ocean, in remembrance of people who had lost their lives at sea while searching for a safe place to call home.

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Providing Sanctuary

President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan, has issued a pastoral statement to the church about the Let Them Stay campaign, which is concerned with the High Court ruling to send asylum seekers and refugees, including children and babies, to offshore detention. Read on for his statement, including information on how your Uniting Church congregation can offer sanctuary to these vulnerable people.

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Voices unite: let them stay

For the past week Australian news outlets have been promulgating the plight of 267 refugees, including 37 babies, who are currently facing removal to the off-shore detention centre in Nauru. After last week’s high court ruling upholding the legality of Australia’s off-shore asylum seeker process people across the country have joined in protests and offers of refuge and sanctuary.

On Monday 8 February the community group Love Makes a Way hosted a peaceful public action at the office of the federal member for Swan, Steve Irons MP. The public action was orchestrated to hand deliver letters, written by concerned members of the public, to Mr Irons. The letters encouraged Mr Irons to advocate on behalf of the asylum seekers at risk of deportation, by speaking to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Later in the day hundreds of concerned people gathered at St George’s Cathedral in Perth’s CBD to peacefully protest the government’s position on removing asylum seekers to dangerous off-shore processing centres. Rev Chris Bedding oversaw proceedings, beginning by acknowledging the Nyungar elders past and present, he also relayed greetings from Rev Sealin Garlett who was unable to attend the event.

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Let them stay

The moderator of the Uniting Church WA, Rev Steve Francis has today written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull requesting that he act urgently to protect the children in immigration detention who are at risk of being deported to Nauru.

“The Uniting Church in Australia Synod of Western Australia has grave concerns for the safety of children in the care of the Immigration Department, following the High Court decision today 03/02/2016,” Steve said.

“We have a long standing concern that asylum seekers and refugees are treated with compassion and in accordance with international law, as can be seen by resolutions made by our Synod over many years.  We are aware that there are two families in WA who might be at risk of removal to Nauru as a result of this judgement.

“We note that The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has today issued a press release which “affirms that today’s High Court decision does not alter Australia’s international obligations towards people seeking asylum.”

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Editorial: Where there is hope

The devastating image of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old boy washed ashore in Turkey, inundated my Facebook and Twitter feed in September.

I hate seeing the exploitation of such an image; an image which exposed a beautiful boy in his most vulnerable moment. But, I hope that it moved the world to think differently about refugees, asylum seekers and the crisis in Syria. There are real people, with families and children, who are suffering.

On 7 September, at Get Up!’s Light the Dark event, more than a thousand people crowded the Perth Cultural Centre to light a candle to remember  Aylan and others who are seeking protection – many who have died doing so. Similar events were held all over the country.

Jarrod McKenna, founder of the First Home Project and pastor at Westcity Church, spoke at the event.

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Forging a new way on asylum seekers

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan, has joined faith representatives and members of Parliament in Canberra today to support renewed efforts to restore some compassion to Australia’s asylum seeker policies.

At a cross-party forum at Parliament House Stuart described the continued abuse of asylum seekers in offshore detention centres as “inexcusable”.

“In increasing numbers, courageous citizens are expressing their concerns about the inhumane and illegal treatment of people seeking asylum, especially children.

“I applaud the actions of staff at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital in refusing to return children in detention to places where they are at risk of further abuse and trauma. Concerned citizens including many of deep religious faith continue to make their voices heard on this issue in public rallies and other peaceful protests.

“It’s vital that we harness growing goodwill in the community to improve the plight of these most vulnerable people.

“I congratulate MPs of principle and good faith who are not letting this matter rest in their party rooms or in public.

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