The Rudd government has announced yesterday a new policy allegedly to fight people smuggling activities. The policy includes suspension of applications’ process for Afghani and Sri Lankan asylum seekers. This would practically means keeping asylum seekers behind bars for longer times.
“The policy is very serious setback of Australian commitments and obligations under Geneva Convention about Refugees status, 1951” said Jamal Daoud, spokesperson of Social Justice party. “It was a move made on run in the face of calls from opposition parties to resort to racism and xenophobia as a major campaign platform for the coming federal election”
“The move is departure from another election commitments made by Rudd government before the last federal election, 2007. At that time, Labor party promised to keep the asylum seekers no more than 90 days in detention centres to process their claims”
“Consequent to yesterday’s move, asylum seekers could be kept in detention for years”
The new policy was not based on any credible reports or information from international and human rights organisations. On the contrary. Currently, we are witnessing surge in military activities and indiscriminate bombing from all sides in Afghanistan.
The government’s policy is no more than a coward move to cave in from opposition parties’ attacks on surge of unauthorized arrivals to Australia. Such move that aims to make racism and xenophobia a major election issue that blankets all other major challenges facing Australia. Such challenges that include: very fragile economy, accommodation crisis, health crisis, drug and alcohol addiction crisis, …etc
Both the government and opposition are claiming that they want to fight against people smuggling criminal activities. But both are directing their activities to punish the innocent vulnerable people. From previous experiences, these people are genuine refugees and would make good citizens. The government’s inhumane harsh policy would result only in causing these asylum seekers trauma and deep mental health problems. By the time they will be released to the community, they would need high support and expensive treatment for rehabilitation.
The Social Justice party opposes such move and believes that such policy would practically fail. Both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are still highly dangerous areas, as according to the government publicly released travel advices and reports. All what it will do is build up already high racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia. SJP will fight against such moves by all means available.
The SJP will participate in the rally planned this coming Sunday in support of refugees rights. Australia should honor its international obligations and commitments.
The rally will be on Sunday, 11 April 10, 2 pm outside Villawood detention centre – 15 Birmingham Ave – Villawood.
For media comments, Jamal Daoud, the SJN spokesperson, can be contacted on 0404 47 272
Saturday, April 10, 2010
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