refugees

Tell Kevin Rudd: respect refugees’ rights

Submitted by Diet Simon on Fri, 23/10/2009 - 5:08pm

They make up less than four per cent of people who come to Australia seeking asylum, yet never fail to generate an astonishing political and media storm.

So here are some facts: more than 96 per cent of asylum seekers arriving in Australia step off planes, not boats. Furthermore, the vast majority of boat arrivals are typically found to be genuine refugees – those fleeing for their lives and safety, not simply seeking better lives in wealthier nations. Far from being "illegal immigrants" they are exercising the right to seek asylum under international law.

Promotion: 
Feature
Keywords: 
refugees
indonesia
Amnesty International
boat people

Help send refugees to the Canberra pollies to chuck out cruel policy

Submitted by Diet Simon on Wed, 24/06/2009 - 4:10pm

By the GetUp team

After 16 months in immigration detention, Kasian was granted a temporary visa. Then he was hit with a $160,000 bill for his "accommodation" in Baxter Detention Centre. There are hundreds more like him - experiencing unimaginable trauma only to then be slugged with an enormous bill for the privilege.

The good news is the Senate is scheduled to vote this week on a bill to overturn this policy, but the vote is going to be very close.

Geography: 
Australia
Keywords: 
refugees

2009 'Emerge' Festival - June 21 Fitzroy Town Hall

Submitted by grammaticalapple on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 7:40pm

2009 Emerge Festival, Sunday June 21, Fitzroy Town Hall

A tide of food and music gushed out of Fitzroy town hall and onto Napier Street as part of the 2009 Emerge Festival, celebrating emerging and refugee cultures in Victoria.
Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Ethiopian, Western Saharan, Turkish, Jamaican, Afghani and Timorese cultural groups were but a handful of populations represented in song, dance, craft and cuisine.

Geography: 
Melbourne
Keywords: 
human rights
refugees
asylum seekers