RACNSW MEDIA RELEASE
Friday June 20, 2003 World Refugee Day
NATIONAL RALLIES SAY END THE PERSECUTION:
RELEASE THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES; FREE ALL THE REFUGEES
Thousands of people across Australia are expected to rally and march
this weekend in protests that will challenge the government's mandatory
detention policies on refugees.
Around 9000 refugees with temporary protection visas have been left in a
state of permanent uncertainty while the government tries to force them
to return to their countries of origin. More than 4000 temporary
protection visa will have expired by the end of June and Iranian asylum
seekers in particular have been targeted for deportation
It is a sad irony that World Refugee Day is marked in Australia by yet
another move by the federal government to entrench mandatory and
indefinite detention of asylum seekers.
Refugee advocates dismissed Minister Ruddock's comments that the Family
Court decision that indefinite detention is unlawful will send the wrong
message to people smugglers.
"It is Minister Ruddock who doesn't seem to get the message," said Ian
Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
The announcement that the government will challenge the Family Court
decision on children in detention follows moves this week to introduce
legislation to remove powers from the Federal Court to release asylum
seekers waiting for final decisions on their cases.
"Every time court decisions go against the government, they try to move
the goal posts.
"Philip Ruddock shows callous indifference to the plight of refugee and
their families and is trying to deflect attention from scrutiny over the
cash-for-visa scandal involving donations to the Liberal Party. He is
very selective in his use of ministerial discretion," said Ian Rintoul.
A Baxter asylum seeker whose wife died in the Bali bombing is still
waiting for the minister to allow even a temporary visit by his children
stranded in Indonesia. Iraqi families are still held on Nauru even
though husbands and fathers are recognised as refugees on the mainland
In Sydney the rally will begin at 12.00 noon, Hyde Park north and march
to Belmore Park. Speakers at the rally will include: Tom Keneally.
Carmen Lawrence, Kerry Nettle, Amnesty International, and Iranian,
Afghan, Iraqi and East Timorese refugees.
For more information contact: Ian Rintoul (Refugee Asction Coalition)
0417 275 713
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