The Australian system of mandatory detention for refugees is not, contrary to official government rhetoric, based on a policy of security. Rather, it is based on an age-old policy of demeaning and scapegoating foreigners.
Under international law, Australia is obliged to respect the right of refugees and settle them if they face genuine persecution, regardless of how they arrive in Australia or whether they have identification. But the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers subverts these rights.
Resistance aims to expose the reasons behind the system of detention. Through visiting the detention centres and hearing the stories of the refugees, we can help expose the lies of the mainstream media. Asylum seekers are not “queue jumpers”, nor are they illegal immigrants; they are ordinary people who deserve a chance to live in freedom without fear of persecution.
On March 25, Resistance members visited Sydney’s Villawood detention centre to hear the stories of those detained and to show them solidarity.
One of the detainees we met, a refugee from Afghanistan, shared his experiences with us. He is a member of Afghanistan’s Hazara minority, who lived as a refugee in Iran for most of his life. He travelled to Indonesia before eventually arriving in Australia, where he was locked up in the Christmas Island detention centre.
He told us: “When I was on Christmas Island, we didn’t know that people cared for our safety. But when I was moved to Villawood detention centre, I found out that there are people in Australia who do care.”
When detainees saw one of the visitors wearing a “free the refugees” T-shirt, many were happy to recognise an image of their fellow asylum seekers staging a rooftop protest.
One refugee said: “I think this [solidarity] is very helpful for the future of refugees.”
Many asylum seekers faced devastating troubles on their way to Australia. When they get here, they face even more trauma. Suicide and self-harm are rife in detention and detainees who suffer violence are frequently denied or delayed treatment.
The Hazara man said: “For all of us, it’s dangerous. But we had no choice. We cannot go back. Death in the water is better than death from torture or guns that we face in our home countries.”
Resistance organises regular visits to detention centres around Australia. Showing support for those scapegoated by racist politicians is crucial — and so is taking action to end the policy of mandatory detention.
Visits and protests are taking place around the country this Easter weekend. On April 9, refugee supporters will march to Villawood detention centre in Sydney and Broadmeadows detention centre in Melbourne to demand an end to mandatory detention and the dog whistle politics of the two major parties.
