Happy New Year...
In Sydney, in a suburb called Villawood there is a detention center. Inside Villawood detention center is a young Sri Lankan woman named Ranjini. Ranjini and her two children are refugees in Australia. In May of this year Ranjini's protection visa was revoked and she and her children were remanded to Villawood detention center. Ranjini's protection visa was revoked because ASIO gave her a negative security assessment. This does not mean she is a terrorist, in fact no one is quite sure what this means as the records relating to her assessment are not publicly available. For now it means Ranjini is stuck; unable to return home (she's a refugee remember) and unable to live in the community. Oh and Ranjini is pregnant, she will likely give birth in the detention center with little hope that she or her child will have the freedom to enjoy the life we all look forward to in 2013.
This story highlights a couple of grave issues: Firstly that a child in Australia can be born into imprisonment with little hope of freedom. Secondly that individuals assessed as refugees but with negative ASIO security risk assessments face indefinite detention with no recourse available to them at present. Not to cast too dramatic a light on this but consider that we are talking about indefinite detention, without charge that includes children, secret records and a so far implacable government bureaucracy.
I find this whole situation deeply disturbing. There is a definite lack of respect for principles of human rights and transparency at work here, the absence of which casts the department responsible in a most despotic light. We are told there is a negative security assessment but there is no opportunity for scrutiny of these claims. In effect Ranjini is being denied the right to defend herself against claims that she is equally being denied access to. Further even if we were to presume her guilt of the unknown charges that does not address the situation of her children, aged 6 & 9, being imprisoned with her. Further still it does not approach the situation her pregnancy and the impending birth of a new, completely innocent child. Ranjini's husband is still living in the community presenting at least one option for the family.
This case highlights in a most dramatic fashion the issues surrounding the detention of people arriving in Australia as asylum seekers. The government claims issues of border security necessitates detention however can we consider this claim to hold when children and unborn babies and under lock and key. Don't take my word for it, consider the issues for yourself. As Australia moves towards a federal election in 2013 this issue can illuminate for us the sort of society we want to live in; it may not affect our productivity or improve our material comforts but it could change our view of freedom and what we allow in a democratic society.
If you're interested to learn more about Ranjini and this unfolding story I'd suggest checking out the site 'Letters for Ranjini' where you can leave a not of support or explore the current news: http://lettersforranjini.com/
Monday, 31 December 2012
Friday, 28 December 2012
Help or Prevention?
This is about a news report I read just before Xmas. Like so many things before a big holiday it got a little lost in the mix but I didn't want to just leave it because it was a few days old. There are important issues raised by this story that I think are worth considering and they mustn't get lost in the news cycle...
The story concerns allegations that Australia's Federal Police are collaborating with Pakistan's intelligence services to profile and identify people likely to flee the country, thereby stopping them before they leave. Amnesty International has condemned the Australian governments actions as "questionable and sordid", but you can read the full report here:
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-12-20/australia-helping-pakistan-stop-hazara-asylum-seekers-from-leaving-report/1064234
There's a lot of rhetoric in Australia about stemming the flow of asylum seekers and breaking the business model of people smugglers. Politicians wax lyrical about stopping the boats and ending deaths at sea. The upshot of this talk is to paint a picture of individuals illegally entering the country by collaborating with dubious criminals. By preventing individuals from taking 'dangerous' boat journeys, the story goes, the Australian government is helping them; saving them from almost inevitable death at sea. What this picture ignores is the circumstance that led to an individual fleeing and the reason they are seeking asylum, often from their own government.
The rhetoric of Australia's asylum seeker policy is one of 'help', whereas the reality exemplified in the above report is one of prevention. Targeting potential refugees at the source and stopping them before they flee the Australian government does nothing to address the issues that lead people to flee their homes and countries. This strategy may stem the growth of the numbers of refugees globally but it does not prevent individuals from being ethnically targeted and persecuted by majority powers in their country.
Why would Australia promote a policy more geared towards preventing refugee arrivals than helping them? Australia's obligations as a signatory to the UN convention on the rights of refugees mean that it must act to help refugees arriving on it's shores. However this issue over more than a decade has developed to become a veritable political albatross, with no ruling party willing to make the hard calls that our obligations demand. The upshot of this is rather than act to truly help refugees, a stance both morally and legally correct, the powers that be act to prevent arrivals thereby leaving them with no one to help.
This issue is more complicated than my cursory description suggests. What is not more complicated though is the distinction between truly helping and just preventing. It may be comfortable to hide behind claims of saving lives at sea, but that does not address the fact that these people still face possible death at home if they do not receive asylum. It may look better on paper if individuals never flee, as in the story on Pakistan, but just because these people are not official refugees does not mean they will not suffer persecution.
We need to consider what we want from our government on this issue. Politically expedient results are not enough when they come at the cost of human rights. Australians must demand it's government act to truly help asylum seekers, not just prevent their arrival, and they must do it now.
The story concerns allegations that Australia's Federal Police are collaborating with Pakistan's intelligence services to profile and identify people likely to flee the country, thereby stopping them before they leave. Amnesty International has condemned the Australian governments actions as "questionable and sordid", but you can read the full report here:
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-12-20/australia-helping-pakistan-stop-hazara-asylum-seekers-from-leaving-report/1064234
There's a lot of rhetoric in Australia about stemming the flow of asylum seekers and breaking the business model of people smugglers. Politicians wax lyrical about stopping the boats and ending deaths at sea. The upshot of this talk is to paint a picture of individuals illegally entering the country by collaborating with dubious criminals. By preventing individuals from taking 'dangerous' boat journeys, the story goes, the Australian government is helping them; saving them from almost inevitable death at sea. What this picture ignores is the circumstance that led to an individual fleeing and the reason they are seeking asylum, often from their own government.
The rhetoric of Australia's asylum seeker policy is one of 'help', whereas the reality exemplified in the above report is one of prevention. Targeting potential refugees at the source and stopping them before they flee the Australian government does nothing to address the issues that lead people to flee their homes and countries. This strategy may stem the growth of the numbers of refugees globally but it does not prevent individuals from being ethnically targeted and persecuted by majority powers in their country.
Why would Australia promote a policy more geared towards preventing refugee arrivals than helping them? Australia's obligations as a signatory to the UN convention on the rights of refugees mean that it must act to help refugees arriving on it's shores. However this issue over more than a decade has developed to become a veritable political albatross, with no ruling party willing to make the hard calls that our obligations demand. The upshot of this is rather than act to truly help refugees, a stance both morally and legally correct, the powers that be act to prevent arrivals thereby leaving them with no one to help.
This issue is more complicated than my cursory description suggests. What is not more complicated though is the distinction between truly helping and just preventing. It may be comfortable to hide behind claims of saving lives at sea, but that does not address the fact that these people still face possible death at home if they do not receive asylum. It may look better on paper if individuals never flee, as in the story on Pakistan, but just because these people are not official refugees does not mean they will not suffer persecution.
We need to consider what we want from our government on this issue. Politically expedient results are not enough when they come at the cost of human rights. Australians must demand it's government act to truly help asylum seekers, not just prevent their arrival, and they must do it now.
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Do they know it's Xmas?
My intention was that this be the Xmas edition of my blog. I had it all planned out to be writing on Xmas eve and then when that didn't happen because of last minute planning, shopping and cooking I promised myself I'd hide away for an hour on Xmas day and write. Now both days have come and gone, Boxing day too just about and I've only just found the time to sit and put finger to keypad. Xmas is wonderful like that; all the family, love, giving, (eating and drinking) that you are barely able to find the time to scratch yourself let alone get too contemplative over much else.
I'm not at home in Sydney this year, nor have I seen home for many a month. Fortunately though I have a group of amazing people to spend Xmas with. We're all in London and while it's not a white Xmas you could possibly drown in Hyde Park if you got unlucky. Not everyone away from home this time of year has it quite so good though.
Christmas has got me thinking of the thousands forced to flee their homes in Syria and over the border to Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq to name a few countries that have opened up their borders. When they fled it was summer but now being winter they are hoping not for a white Xmas, but for some relief from the deadly cold that threatens them. Christmas also has me thinking of the asylum seekers who have fled places such as Syria and taken an arduous journey to countries like Australia. This Xmas they may have very few options as they face an uncertain future at the hands of political policies that inadequately recognise their rights to claim asylum. While many refugees in Australia may now find themselves released into the community while they await their claims being assessed, they have little recourse to work or other means of sustaining themselves, let alone any Xmas cheer.
I'm always amazed at the wonder of Xmas. How it seems to have a broad secular appeal. How it tugs at our collective heartstrings and (with the exception of crowded shopping centers) makes us better and more generous. However Xmas is not immune to the cultural myopia we frequently suffer when it comes to human rights. Inequality and oppression don't disappear at Xmas. War doesn't cease to ravage the world and hunger and cold bite just as hard. The only thing that seems to change for a day or two is our capacity to generously accept others. Lets start this Xmas and extend it through to 2013...
If you feel moved to do something about people forced from their homes around the world, here are some places to look and maybe give a little:
Save the Children
https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.8452721/k.A1FC/Without_You/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp
Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/en/how-you-can-help
Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org/
I'm not at home in Sydney this year, nor have I seen home for many a month. Fortunately though I have a group of amazing people to spend Xmas with. We're all in London and while it's not a white Xmas you could possibly drown in Hyde Park if you got unlucky. Not everyone away from home this time of year has it quite so good though.
Christmas has got me thinking of the thousands forced to flee their homes in Syria and over the border to Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq to name a few countries that have opened up their borders. When they fled it was summer but now being winter they are hoping not for a white Xmas, but for some relief from the deadly cold that threatens them. Christmas also has me thinking of the asylum seekers who have fled places such as Syria and taken an arduous journey to countries like Australia. This Xmas they may have very few options as they face an uncertain future at the hands of political policies that inadequately recognise their rights to claim asylum. While many refugees in Australia may now find themselves released into the community while they await their claims being assessed, they have little recourse to work or other means of sustaining themselves, let alone any Xmas cheer.
I'm always amazed at the wonder of Xmas. How it seems to have a broad secular appeal. How it tugs at our collective heartstrings and (with the exception of crowded shopping centers) makes us better and more generous. However Xmas is not immune to the cultural myopia we frequently suffer when it comes to human rights. Inequality and oppression don't disappear at Xmas. War doesn't cease to ravage the world and hunger and cold bite just as hard. The only thing that seems to change for a day or two is our capacity to generously accept others. Lets start this Xmas and extend it through to 2013...
If you feel moved to do something about people forced from their homes around the world, here are some places to look and maybe give a little:
Save the Children
https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.8452721/k.A1FC/Without_You/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp
Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/en/how-you-can-help
Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org/
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