REFUGEE ACTION COLLECTIVE
Media release, July 23, 2001
'We'll defend the Villawood escapees'
Refugee Action Collective (RAC) in Melbourne is supporting the stand taken
by RAC in Sydney in supporting the 46 refugees who have escaped from
Villawood Detention Centre.
"Like our counterparts in NSW, we are collecting money towards the defence
of the escapees. The immigration minister's threats of jail will not stop
the escapes or community support for the escapees," said Judy McVey,
spokesperson for Melbourne RAC.
"The escape of another 23 detainees from Villawood detention centre shows
that the government's policy of mandatory detention is a failure," said Ms
McVey. "We are calling on Philip Ruddock to resign and for the detention
centres to be closed."
"The government is trying to create a climate of fear and intimidation both
inside and outside the detention centres, but it won't work," she said.
"People will fight for their freedom. In the same way that people had to
break the government's bad laws to stop the war in Vietnam, they are
willing to break bad laws again."
In Melbourne, detainees at Maribyrnong detention centre report that
management is forcing body and cell searches in the aftermath of the
escapes from Villawood.
Detainees in Port Hedland will hold a protest tomorrow (Monday) at 2.30pm
over threatened deportations following the deportation of a Sri Lankan
national last week. Another 25 Iranians have been told they will soon
follow. This is despite the international outcry against the Iranian
government following a woman being stoned to death a week ago over alleged
adultery.
"Besides being an abuse of human rights, the detention centres are a waste
of money and resources. The millions of dollars that presently go to boost
the profits of ACM, the private company which runs the centres, could be
used to provide welfare, language classes and job training," said Judy McVey.
RAC is holding two events in defence of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The
federal government is talking of dumping the convention as the basis of
Australia's refugee policy.
The first event is a rally, at 11am on Saturday, July 28, on the corner of
Paisley and Nicholson sts, Footscray.
The second is a public meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, July 31, at Trades Hall
in Carlton. Speakers include, Michele O'Neil (sec, Textile union), Peter
Mares (broadcaster and author of Borderline), Luke van der Meulen (La Trobe
Valley CFMEU), and Marion Le (refugee lawyer). The meeting will also
discuss the forthcoming national "Free the Refugees Solidarity Tour" bus
trip to the Woomera Detention Centre on 21 September 2001.
For more details or comment, ring Simon O'Neill on 0402 413 914, Judy McVey
on 0418 347 374.
ends
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