No mandatory detention for asylum seekers!
BY PIP HINMAN
In an attempt to remind federal immigration minister Philip Ruddock of his responsibility to provide protection for asylum seekers, a group of 27 non-government organisations has called on the government to re-consider plans to spend $52.1 million on two new detention centres.
The mass break-outs from the Woomera, Curtin and Port Hedland detention centres and the hunger strike at Villawood have highlighted the appalling conditions asylum seekers are forced to endure. The 27 NGOs have called on the government "to consider less costly, more humane and more effective alternatives that are more in keeping with international human rights obligations".
In a letter sent to Ruddock on July 5, the coalition criticised his comments which insinuated that many asylum seekers "had criminal records ... could be murderers, could be terrorists". The letter also expressed concern at "the government's introduction of temporary protection visas that limit the access of refugees to a number of important social services", pointing out that this has proven in practice to be inadequate.
The coalition has also reminded Ruddock that Australia's policy of mandatory detention had been criticised by the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the National Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The participating groups are: Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor; Afghan Refugee Women's Network; Afghan Support Group; Anglicare Refugee and Migrant Ministry; Australian Bahai Community; Australian Catholic Leaders of Religious Institutes; Amnesty International Australia; Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office; Australian Catholic Social Justice Council; Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace (Melbourne Archdiocese); Catholic Immigration Committee, Archdiocese of Sydney; Catholic Refugee Support Group, Hobart; Catholic Migrant Centre; Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care; Churches of Christ; Civil Rehabilitation Committee; Fitzroy Legal Service; Good Shepherd Sisters; Indo-China Refugee Association; Jesuit Refugee Service; Justice Action; Justice for Asylum-Seekers, Victoria; National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) Australia; NSW Ecumenical Council; Pax Christi International Sydney; Refugee Claimant Support Centre, Brisbane; Uniting Church in Australia (Synod of Victoria).
To find out more about the network, contact Alistair Gee at Amnesty International, via <>Tim_Goodwin@amnesty.org.au>>.<>><>41559S>n<>255D>