WORLD REFUGEE DAY MARCH
March for Justice for Refugees
Sunday 22nd June, 1:30pm, City Square, corner Swanston & Collins Streets, Melbourne
Calling for
· Closure of Detention Centres on Manus Island and Nauru
· Justice for Reza Barati, and all those who languish in Australia’s abhorrent detention system
· Fair and timely processing of all requests for asylum
Dear Refugee Supporters,
Building on the momentum of the Walk for Justice on Palm Sunday, we encourage you to come out again for the World Refugee Day March on Sunday 22nd June, 1:30pm at the City Square. The music starts at 1pm with South of the River Choir followed by Shakin’ The Tree. Speakers from 1.30pm – 2.10pm, then march to Queensbridge Square (Southbank) for the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir and two additional speakers. MC - Corinne Grant. Music also by Kavisha Mazzella and Celine Yap.
Speakers: Sr.Brigid Arthur – Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project; Adam Bandt, MP – Deputy Leader Australian Greens; Zakia Baig - Australian Hazara Womens Association; Anna Burke, MP – former Speaker of the House of Representatives; Tri Nguyen – Brunswick Baptist Church (Boat to Canberra Project *); Youhorn Chea – President of the Cambodian Association of Victoria; Lucy Honan –on behalf of the Refugee Advocacy Network.
*See more about the Boat to Canberra Project at https://www.facebook.com/giftofrefuge
Whistle blowers continue to reveal the appalling conditions in the centres on Nauru and Manus Island. Innocent people are imprisoned, denied dignity and freedom and stripped of all hope. It is a regime of calculated cruelty. No arrests have been made for the attacks on asylum seekers, and there has been no justice for Reza Barati. Minister Scott Morrison has admitted he cannot guarantee the safety of any of the detainees there. Some detainees are being offered the untenable option of being resettled in Papua New Guinea – another place of danger for them, or Cambodia. Australia must stop seeking to outsource our responsibilities to other countries.
The alternative to offshore processing is clear: welcoming refugees and processing their applications quickly in the community. This approach would be in keeping with our international legal obligations; it would be far less costly, and it would mean people would be treated with dignity. Australia can and should accept many more asylum seekers.
The government is intent on discouraging people from seeking asylum in Australia – no matter what it takes. The recent death of Leo Seemanpillai, an asylum seeker living in the limbo of extended uncertainty in the community, us a painful reminder of the damaging polices of deterrence, and the human cost of not welcoming those who seek our protection. See video http://bit.ly/1hMLjfZ and statement on the death of Leo Seemanpillai, by Rev David Pargeter, Executive Director, Commission for Mission, UCA Synod of Victoria & Tasmania.
There is rising concern within the community about the several and serious human rights violations, and the cruelty being inflicted on people under these policies. Some members of parliament are now calling for an end to these shameful policies – we must stand with them to demand polices based on justice and compassion. Come out and show your support for asylum seekers at the World Refugee Day March.
· We believe Australia can and should be more generous and provide resettlement and permanent protection to more refugees and people seeking asylum.
· We affirm the right of all asylum seekers to live in dignity and safety while their claims for protection are being processed in the community.
You can also support this action by:
v Promoting the march through your networks
v Bringing a group from your personal or other networks
v Spreading the word by distributing leaflets and posters – print off and display in public places
Contacts:
Marie Hapke 0409 252 673 trconcepts@netspace.net.au
Lucy Honan 0404 728 104 l.m.honan@gmail.com
Organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network in conjunction with faith-based groups, unions and community organisations.
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