Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Activity Updates
No items found.As you are well aware there are many disturbing social justice issues that confront our society at present. The temptation is to feel overwhelmed and powerless. However, we cannot abandon the responsibility to do what we can to work for justice and equity in whatever way we can: be it through prayer, signing an on-line petition, keeping well-informed, supporting advocacy groups or calling law makers to account."
Catherine Ryan rsm (Congregational Leader)
The 4th Vow social justice group and friends met in Parramatta on Saturday 24th May to reflect and discuss current justice issues of concern under the title ‘Keeping Hope Alive’. The issues were:
- the Government proposal to send refugees from Nauru to Cambodia
- Water. Our involvement with Mercy Global Concern to make the UN list water as a human right.
- The budget: who wins, who loses.
We viewed dvds on the topics and vigorous discussion followed. We signed a letter of thanks to Sr Denise Coghlan for her part in the Dateline program on Cambodia. An action sheet with addresses for relevant ministers was distributed and we were encouraged to take some action both to try to bring about change of policies and also to enable ourselves to ‘keep hope alive’.
Do you know anyone who has sought Asylum in Australia?
Have you heard their story?
What would you do if you were in their position?
Do you want to help improve their situation?
Australia currently recognizes the right of asylum and is a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The current government policy is to detain anyone entering Australia without a valid visa. Australia is the only country in the world to mandate the strict enforcement of the detention of asylum-seekers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_Australia
YOU TUBE VIDEOS
- SBS Dateline: Cambodia
- Asylum seekers in Australia - What kind of nation?
- The Leaky Boats (Documentary)
- Refugees and Australia 1972-2012
WEBSITES: Take Action
CCJP Action and Advocacy
CCJP is actively promotes and advocates for a fair and justice approach to asylum seekers and refugees.Click hereto read about CCJP initiatives including seminars, letters to Ministers and submissions
Refugee Action Coalition Sydney (RAC) is a community activist organisation campaigning for the rights of refugees in Australia since 1999. We oppose mandatory detention and offshore processing, and campaign for refugees to be welcomed in Australia.
REFUGEES' HUMAN RIGHTS
Millions of people around the world have no choice but to flee their homeland to escape war, genocide, torture and persecution. Amnesty works to uphold the rights of people seeking asylum across the world.
Amnesty International Australia
Provides:
- campaign resources
- case studies with compelling real life stories.
- research section keeps you informed with reports and fact sheets
A JUST AUSTRALIA
A Just Australia aims to achieve just and compassionate treatment of refugees, consistent with the human rights standards which Australia has developed and endorsed.
EDMUND RICE CENTRE
ERC Asylum Seekers and Refugees Education Resource: Activities for Students can be downloaded from their site.
GET UP: Action For Australia
GetUp! is an independent movement to build a progressive Australia and bring participation back into our democracy.