Friday, October 28, 2005

Our shame: Refugee Action Coalition of NSW Media Release

Protests in three capital cities today will highlight the plight of asylum seekers stranded on the Indonesian island of Lombok for up to four years.

Over 90 asylum seekers (Afghan, Iraqi and Vietnamese) including many children are held in a refugee camp on Lombok run by the International Organisation for Migration, paid for by the Australian government.

October 28 is the 4th anniversary of the interception by the Australian navy of the refugee boat called SIEV 7. Although the boat of mostly Afghan asylum seekers made it to Ashmore Reef, the Australian navy towed the boat back to Indonesian waters where the boat was disabled by naval officers, leaving the asylum seekers to be rescued by fishermen.

"Lombok is an untold and shameful part of the government's so-called Pacific solution," said Ian Rintoul.

"The Lombok asylum seekers made it to Australian territory. But they were towed back as the government implemented One Nation policies and excised territory like Ashmore Reef from the effect of the Migration Act in the wake of the Tampa.

"Many of those asylum seekers were taken to Nauru and now that most of the asylum seekers on Nauru are being brought to Australia, it is time for the Australian government to face up to its responsibility to those it forcibly took to Lombok. It pays for the camp on Lombok but won't accept that it is responsible for those living there. Had they been processed in Australia, there is no doubt that most of them would be recognised as refugees and be living in the community."

"The government claims that its border protection save lives but in fact many lives have been lost and wasted by the Pacific solution. 353 asylum seekers drowned on SIEV X at the time the government was intercepting refugee boats and hundreds languished on Nauru and Lombok, for far too long.

"It is time this shameful episode in Australia's treatment of asylum seekers was bought to a close and those on Lombok resettled in Australia."

"A report by an Australian who visited Lombok, described their situation as: destitute absolutely hopeless...dependent on inadequate support provide by IOM..." They are unable to work, or travel and unable to return. Four years of their lives has been wasted by their disgraceful treatment – they have been treated worse than criminals but have committed no crime. This is another part of the mess of the immigration department that we are waiting for the minister to clean up," said Ian Rintoul.

In a letter from Lombok which will be read at the protest, one asylum seeker writes,: We had attempted to find a shelter to save our life and make a safe life and better future especially for our children, but here in Lombok we Afghan Refugees are suffering from an intolerable and unimaginable condition. We lost our hope, our family, friends, relatives and our own life.

We request Australian Immigration to be responsible for the Lombok refugees who were returned from Australian water, and to treat us in the same way as the Nauru refugees, that have been interviewed by Australian Immigration."

Hunger strike continues: Meanwhile the hunger strike by six Chinese asylum seekers continues at the Villawood detention centre. After a one-day solidarity hunger strike protest by most of the Villawood detainees, the men are determined to continue their action until they get some answer from the Department of Immigration. The Refugee Action Coalition has called a protest at Villawood for Saturday 10.30am, Miowera Rd entrance.

For more information contact: Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
Refugee Action Collective, Melbourne, Tom Petterson 0438 399 973

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