Labor government needs to act to end Asylum seeker fatalities
Today’s explosion on an asylum seekers’ boat off the northwest Australian coast and the subsequent Liberal officials’ insensitive hysterical comments is good evidence why the new Labor government should act immediately to prevent further human losses.
“Even before investigating what really happened, the Liberal premier was quick to start beating on racist drums to spread Anti-refugees sentiments” said Jamal Daoud, spokesperson for Social Justice Network (SJN). “The WA premier is reminding us of the dark ages of Liberal government games to win on xenophobic feelings, lies and divisions”
“Labor’s hesitation to end the suffering of around 2 thousand asylum seekers waiting in Indonesia for between 3 – 7 years for a third country to take them, is the real basis for today’s tragic loss”.
“Australia, as a member of the coalition states who participated in destroying Afghanistan and Iraq, should stand up for their international responsibilities and accept all Iraqi and Afghanis stranded in Indonesia.”
Many of these stranded people have family members in Australia, who can look after them and facilitate their smooth integration. Their Australian relatives had applied to the government to end their ordeal by granting them humanitarian visas that will cost Australia minimal financial commitments. The government had refused most of applications for humanitarian visa.
The network is satisfied with Labor’s handling of the Liberal bid to raise the racist xenophobic feelings, but urges it to take further steps.
The Labor government should reverse the regulations that exclude thousands of Australian islands from migration zones. Australia should resume its global leadership on humanitarian issues by restoring Australian humanitarian commitments.
In a time where millions of people are becoming refugees for several reasons, Australia should also increase its quota of refugees accepted. This will defuse calls from the Liberals to play on race card again. Australia has lost a lot of its reputation as a tolerant nation by playing race cards and crying foul against asylum seekers.
Australia is a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention to protect refugees and the subsequent protocol. This convention guarantees the rights of refugees and asylum seekers to move from their country of origin to any country they think will give them safety and freedom.
“The network supports the rights of displaced and oppressed people and people suffering persecution when they seek asylum in Australia. The network is also supporting Australia to lead negotiations to widen the international definition of refugee to include other newly emergent refugee populations, like environmental refugees and those who are stateless” said Mr Daoud
For more information, you can contact Jamal Daoud on 0424 163 67
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