The Refugee Action Coalition has called a protest today, Wednesday, 19 November, 12.30pm, Immigration Department office, Lee Street, Sydney (near Central Station).
In light of the attacks on refugees on Nauru, the protest will call for refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru (and Manus) to be immediately brought to Australia.
The protest is calling for the government to immediately bring Mehrzad, the Iranian refugee who was blinded in a vigilante attack on Nauru, to Australia.
The protest will also call for the government to continue to resettle refugees processed in Indonesia.
“Scott Morrison’s announcement is a despicable attempt to close Australia’s door to those who need protection,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Along with plans to remove references to the Refugee Convention, the Coalition government is attempting to effectively withdraw from the Refugee Convention while dumping refugees in much poorer countries such as Nauru, PNG and Cambodia.
“The asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island have no future and now face persecution because of Australia’s offshore processing regime.
“Similarly, Scott Morrison is now demanding that Indonesia take responsibility for the refugees who have been left in limbo by the announcement that Australia will not resettle refugees out of Indonesia.
“Asylum seekers will be left to rot in Indonesia or left to die in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan or Syria, because Morrison has cut off one place where they could at least make an application for protection.
“It another beggar-thy-neighbour policy that is typical of the Coalition government.”
For more information , contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713.
