Protests against Salvos cutting internet time

The Salvation Army administration has come under fire for drastically reducing the time allowed for an appointed representative, Mahdi, to maintain the Nauru asylum seekers Facebook page and web site.

Sign an online petition against the restriction on Nauru asylum seekers’ internet use here

The Facebook page in particular has been an innovative life-line between asylum seeker trapped in the hell-hole of Nauru and the outside world. Asylum seekers regard the Salvation Army’s cutting internet access as a move to side with Australian immigration in order to silence critics of Nauru detention and of the Salvation Army’s role in the camp.

There are only 8 computers for almost 400 asylum seekers in the camp, and they will now be rostered to 30 minutes every second day.

The ability of asylum seekers to swap time has also been stopped. Swapping time slots has been a crucial way in which asylum seekers can find time that suit best to call their families in home countries.

The reduction has brought an angry response from the asylum seekers. More than 200 – over half – of the asylum seekers have signed a letter to the Salvation Army to restore Mahdi’s access to the internet. Mass protests are planned unless the Salvation Army restores Madhi’s access to the internet and the flexible arrangements that will allow them to swap rostered times.

Refugee groups have begun a national campaign to restore internet rights on Nauru with an online petition and protests at Salvation Army offices – the first in Melbourne this Friday , December 7, 12.30pm, 65-73 Bourke St, City

For more information: contact Ian Rintoul mob +61 417 275 713 (or Chris about Melbourne Salvation Army protest, 0403 013 183)

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