The Monash Refugee Action Collective released the statement below on November 14.
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Three student activists at Monash University are facing a disciplinary hearing for speaking out against mandatory detention.
On July 27, Laura Riccardi, Rebecca Amore and Severin Karantonis gained access to the roof of the campus centre at Clayton and staged a protest in solidarity with the detainees in a facility in Darwin, who were on hunger strike on the roof of their centre to highlight the brutal conditions that have claimed the lives of at least seven refugees this year alone.
The students, who are all active members of the Monash Refugee Action Collective, claim their protest was to raise awareness within the student body about a marginalised issue.
Spokesperson for the self-dubbed “Rooftop Three”, Laura Riccardi, said: “Given the demonisation of boat people by the government and mainstream media, it is a remarkable feat of bravery for refugees to resist their imprisonment and they should receive unconditional support in this.”
The protest polarised the student body and received a heartfelt message of encouragement from the refugees in Darwin: “Please forward the protesters’ speak to those brave, humanitarian and believers of Humanity and social justice that we are thankful of you ... Long live the Monash students!”
Riccardi says the upcoming hearing has made this a question of free speech and civil liberties, as well as one of refugee rights: “Students should be encouraged to engage in politics and grassroots activism, not silenced by institutions that masquerade as progressive.
This is an overreaction by the administration in response to an entirely peaceful protest; it’'s sending a clear message that Monash is just a degree factory.”
[If you wish to help the “Rooftop Three” in their hearing or get involved in the campaign to free refugees, please phone 0401 315 387.]