Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
SMH investigates how the Howard Government benefits from Australian aid to Nauru
Today's SMH runs an investigative piece on aid to Nauru and other anomalies within Australia's official development assistance program.
I was on posting to PNG when the Tampa affair broke. PNG and Nauru were drawn into the web of obfuscation surrounding the implementation of the PS. I became involved in aspects of the Manus program in 2002 and then later served as Director of the aid program to Nauru throughout 2003.
Although I will have a lot more to say on the subject of the PS at an appropriate juncture, some of my views are reported in the SMH article.
I was on posting to PNG when the Tampa affair broke. PNG and Nauru were drawn into the web of obfuscation surrounding the implementation of the PS. I became involved in aspects of the Manus program in 2002 and then later served as Director of the aid program to Nauru throughout 2003.
Although I will have a lot more to say on the subject of the PS at an appropriate juncture, some of my views are reported in the SMH article.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Amnesty International slams the Howard Government's human rights record
In an earlier blog I drew links between Zimbabwe and the US in terms of their efforts to marginalize key UN watchdog bodies.
Now Howard " finds himself alongside Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe in an Amnesty International report which says they are among short-sighted fear-mongers dividing the world.
The human rights pressure group has accused Mr Howard of portraying asylum-seekers as a threat to national security.
The report also criticises Australia's role in the war on terror and its treatment of female victims of violence.
Amnesty secretary-general Irene Khan says the fear generated by leaders such as Mr Howard thrives on myopic and cowardly leadership.
Ms Khan included Mr Howard with Mr Mugabe, US President George Bush and Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir in the same scathing paragraph in her foreword to the group's annual report published today.
Ms Khan said the fear generated by leaders such as Mr Howard "thrives on myopic and cowardly leadership''.
"The Howard government portrayed desperate asylum-seekers in leaky boats as a threat to Australia's national security and raised a false alarm of a refugee invasion,'' Ms Khan wrote."
This blog was started in response to my growing alarm at the use of fear as a political tactic by Howard. We find ourself in poor company indeed, and this is by no means hyperbole on the part of Khan.
Now Howard " finds himself alongside Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe in an Amnesty International report which says they are among short-sighted fear-mongers dividing the world.
The human rights pressure group has accused Mr Howard of portraying asylum-seekers as a threat to national security.
The report also criticises Australia's role in the war on terror and its treatment of female victims of violence.
Amnesty secretary-general Irene Khan says the fear generated by leaders such as Mr Howard thrives on myopic and cowardly leadership.
Ms Khan included Mr Howard with Mr Mugabe, US President George Bush and Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir in the same scathing paragraph in her foreword to the group's annual report published today.
Ms Khan said the fear generated by leaders such as Mr Howard "thrives on myopic and cowardly leadership''.
"The Howard government portrayed desperate asylum-seekers in leaky boats as a threat to Australia's national security and raised a false alarm of a refugee invasion,'' Ms Khan wrote."
This blog was started in response to my growing alarm at the use of fear as a political tactic by Howard. We find ourself in poor company indeed, and this is by no means hyperbole on the part of Khan.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Human Rights in Australia & China - Villawood update
The following media release from the Refugee Action Coalition updates the appalling situation of the hunger strikers at Villawood. It appears mainstream media outlets are not covering this story. Now why would this be the case?
"Refuge supporters have grave concerns for the welfare of a Chinese asylum seeker who has been on hunger strike for 57 days. The man was transferred to hospital from the medical centre at Villawood detention centre on Tuesday (22 May).
The man began the hunger strike with nine other Villawood Chinese asylum seekers on 28 March in protest at the forced deportation of asylum seekers and to demand a review of asylum cases at Villawood and that the government gives a guarantee of the safety of those it had already deported. The other nine hunger strikers have since ended their protest.
The man is a long term Falun Gong practioner and has been in Villawood more than 18 months.
“We are calling on the Minister to act urgently,” said Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition, in Sydney. “Hunger strikers may suffer permanent organ damage after only 40 days and as we approach 60 days a hunger strike becomes critical.”
“Today the Minister has announced that he will review the cases of a number of Chinese workers in Brisbane on 457 visas. The asylum cases in Villawood deserve at least as much consideration. The Minister has wide discretionary powers to use in just such circumstances. Time is fast running out. The Minister must act,” said Ian Rintoul.
The department has power under the Migration Act to order coercive medical procedures, such as force feeding, but there are clear international recognized ethical guidelines for medical practioners dealing with political hunger strikers. The World Medical Association’s Declaration of Tokyo states unequivocally, “Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the doctor as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgement concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially.”
“The government has already abused this man’s human rights. It has to stop. The government has a responsibility under the Refugee Convention not to return asylum seekers anywhere they might face danger. Yet at least two of the Chinese asylum seekers deported since the hunger strike began have had problems with the Chinese authorities when they have been returned. One is unable to return home because of police surveillance of his parent’s house.
It is feared that another two with whom there has been no contact have been detained on their return.”
"Refuge supporters have grave concerns for the welfare of a Chinese asylum seeker who has been on hunger strike for 57 days. The man was transferred to hospital from the medical centre at Villawood detention centre on Tuesday (22 May).
The man began the hunger strike with nine other Villawood Chinese asylum seekers on 28 March in protest at the forced deportation of asylum seekers and to demand a review of asylum cases at Villawood and that the government gives a guarantee of the safety of those it had already deported. The other nine hunger strikers have since ended their protest.
The man is a long term Falun Gong practioner and has been in Villawood more than 18 months.
“We are calling on the Minister to act urgently,” said Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition, in Sydney. “Hunger strikers may suffer permanent organ damage after only 40 days and as we approach 60 days a hunger strike becomes critical.”
“Today the Minister has announced that he will review the cases of a number of Chinese workers in Brisbane on 457 visas. The asylum cases in Villawood deserve at least as much consideration. The Minister has wide discretionary powers to use in just such circumstances. Time is fast running out. The Minister must act,” said Ian Rintoul.
The department has power under the Migration Act to order coercive medical procedures, such as force feeding, but there are clear international recognized ethical guidelines for medical practioners dealing with political hunger strikers. The World Medical Association’s Declaration of Tokyo states unequivocally, “Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the doctor as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgement concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially.”
“The government has already abused this man’s human rights. It has to stop. The government has a responsibility under the Refugee Convention not to return asylum seekers anywhere they might face danger. Yet at least two of the Chinese asylum seekers deported since the hunger strike began have had problems with the Chinese authorities when they have been returned. One is unable to return home because of police surveillance of his parent’s house.
It is feared that another two with whom there has been no contact have been detained on their return.”
Monday, May 21, 2007
Human Rights in Australia & China - refugee supporters hold vigil for Villawood hunger strikers
Those who keep an eye on the appalling indifference to asylum seeker suffering displayed by the Howard Government will not be surprised by the turn of events at Villawood. Australia kowtows to China on human rights issues routinely to avoid any problems emerging on the trade front. It shocks me how sanguine the general population has become to this reality.
Refugee supporters will hold a protest vigil outside the Department of Immigration office, 26 Lee Street, Sydney, from 4.00pm-5.30pm to mark the 50th day of the hunger strike by two Chinese asylum seekers in Villawood detention centre.
The strike began on 28 March following the deportation of Chinese asylum seeker. There are grave fears concerning the welfare of the hunger strikers. Ms Yuan has been in hospital for over two weeks but is still refusing food. She suffered kidney problems after only two weeks into the hunger strike.
Reports from the hospital a few days ago indicated that Immigration may be planning to force-feed Ms Yuan.
The Refugee Action Coalition understands that Ms Yuan would have to be determined to be "incompetent" before such a step could be taken. There are strict ethical guidelines for doctors intervening in political protests.
Villawood management is now refusing to allow other detainees to visit the hunger strikers.
"W are pleading with the Minister to urgently intervene to review the cases of people at Villawood. The fate of these people is in the Ministers hands. Chinese asylum seekers have said they would rather die here than at the hands of the Chinese authorities," said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
"Australia has a responsibility not to send asylum seekers anywhere they may face persecution. The hunger strikers have consistently asked for the Minister to end the forced deportations to China or anywhere else, yet the Minister has forcibly deported at least four people to China while the hunger strike has been on."
"The government promised a different Immigration department following the revelations of Cornelia Rau and Vivian Solon," said Ian Rintoul, "but Kevin Andrews has taken the department back to the punitive days of Philip Ruddock. The Minister has behaved recklessly with the lives of those who are supposed to be in his care."
"We do not want to see a tragedy in Villawood. These people may already have suffered permanent damage to their health on top of the suffering of the months and years of detention."
Anyone wising to let Minister Andrews know their feelings on this ongoing abuse can email him at: Kevin.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au
Refugee supporters will hold a protest vigil outside the Department of Immigration office, 26 Lee Street, Sydney, from 4.00pm-5.30pm to mark the 50th day of the hunger strike by two Chinese asylum seekers in Villawood detention centre.
The strike began on 28 March following the deportation of Chinese asylum seeker. There are grave fears concerning the welfare of the hunger strikers. Ms Yuan has been in hospital for over two weeks but is still refusing food. She suffered kidney problems after only two weeks into the hunger strike.
Reports from the hospital a few days ago indicated that Immigration may be planning to force-feed Ms Yuan.
The Refugee Action Coalition understands that Ms Yuan would have to be determined to be "incompetent" before such a step could be taken. There are strict ethical guidelines for doctors intervening in political protests.
Villawood management is now refusing to allow other detainees to visit the hunger strikers.
"W are pleading with the Minister to urgently intervene to review the cases of people at Villawood. The fate of these people is in the Ministers hands. Chinese asylum seekers have said they would rather die here than at the hands of the Chinese authorities," said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
"Australia has a responsibility not to send asylum seekers anywhere they may face persecution. The hunger strikers have consistently asked for the Minister to end the forced deportations to China or anywhere else, yet the Minister has forcibly deported at least four people to China while the hunger strike has been on."
"The government promised a different Immigration department following the revelations of Cornelia Rau and Vivian Solon," said Ian Rintoul, "but Kevin Andrews has taken the department back to the punitive days of Philip Ruddock. The Minister has behaved recklessly with the lives of those who are supposed to be in his care."
"We do not want to see a tragedy in Villawood. These people may already have suffered permanent damage to their health on top of the suffering of the months and years of detention."
Anyone wising to let Minister Andrews know their feelings on this ongoing abuse can email him at: Kevin.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
China: Dalai Lama's visit to Australia - Postscript
It appears both Howard and Rudd will now meet the Dalai Lama. The wonder of people power pops up again. Politicians need to start listening to community concerns on human rights and Australia's reputation as a defender of the down trodden. The Howard approach to these issues has echoed the arrogant unilateralism of the Bush administration. Rudd cannot afford to make the same mistakes. Australia has to stand up to the major powers in asserting our core values when the fundamental rights of oppressed peoples such as the Tibetans are trampled.
If you wish to take direct action to encourage our political leadership to do the right thing visit the ATC website.
If you wish to take direct action to encourage our political leadership to do the right thing visit the ATC website.
China: trade & money concerns prevent Australian political leaders meeting with Dalai Lama
Australian media is reporting Howard and Rudd will not meet the Dalai Lama during his visit to Australia.
In the case of Howard this is to be expected. He has compromised Australia's independent stance on human rights routinely throughout his tenure. He has cozied up to China on trade while reducing bilateral human rights discussions to a set piece charade. His government has bowed to Chinese Government pressure on Falun Gong protesters in Canberra & developed collective amnesia on the systematic colonization of Tibet and persecution of the Tibetan people.
A recent article in The Independent explored the future for Tibetans after the Dalai Lama, who is looking to reduce his political leadership role:
"The trampling of Tibet by the People's Liberation Army, the trashing of its monasteries and the brainwashing of its monks and nuns, the colonisation of its towns and cities by Chinese settlers, all of which continues, was an outrage of which the Dalai Lama spoke with unique eloquence, and because the outrage was so stark he found a huge ready audience everywhere. And then, almost without us being aware of it, he was telling us about values, about morality, about happiness, in the simplest words. And because of the way he did it, most of us lingered to listen to that message, too. Tibetan Buddhism is a fabulously exotic construct, as remote and strange a religious tradition as any in the world, ineffably far away. Yet Tenzin Gyatso has a way to make it simple, without cheapening its truths. "Happiness is not something ready made," he will say, "it comes from your own actions." "In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher."
The Dalai Lama is a living treasure; a spiritual leader of endless wisdom and compassion, who has maintained his non-violent stance against the appalling treatment of his people by China. Despite huge pressures to adopt a hard line approach towards the repression of his people he has stood firm.
Political leaders in free, democratic nations should meet the Dalai Lama at every opportunity. Not only would such meetings reinforce the importance of his nonviolent struggle, but I suggest these leaders need his spiritual guidance to navigate the minefields of hate and division threatening to overwhelm global peace and harmony. He is a spiritual guide for our times and it is beholden on our leadership to heed his message.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Human Rights in Australia: For refugees it just goes from bad to worse
The Australian Democrats have attacked the 'draconian' refugee welfare changes being pushed through by the Howard Government. Punishment on top of punishment on top of bullying on top of...
In the increasingly combative electoral climate Howard is again ramping up the "tough on refugees" line. He knows its a winner with large slices of the electorate, accustomed to his brand of political correctness - its ok to be afraid of refugees and to treat them like social pariahs, but 'don't worry about that while I'm around!'.
Its classic Howard. Get the troops out to bash Labor on every issue that panders to our darkest fears. Set up the straw dog to fear, find someone or some group to blame & punish and then put yourself forward as the saviour of the day. The security man who sells you razor wire to keep out pygmy possums, and if they still get in, rounds them up and trains them to do your every bidding. Its always easy when the group you are hounding are defenseless, vulnerable and scared of being kicked back over the fence.
The ABC reports "the Democrats have attacked Federal Government moves to cut the amount of time refugees can spend in Australia before they have to start searching for work.
New arrivals have had up to 13 weeks of unemployment allowance without having to look for a job but the Government is cutting that to six weeks.
People who are learning English for at least 20 hours a week will be exempt but Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says it is a draconian step.
"I think it's overkill with an eye on the political benefits of the perceptions from the general community, rather than a genuine desire to help refugees," he said.
"There's plenty of different ways you can encourage and assist and provide incentives without having to immediately resort to threatening people's income, particularly for a group of people who already have significant disadvantages."
Yes, but then that would mean treating refugees as human beings with the same needs and concerns as the rest of us. It would require moral leadership and compassion. Forget it - not on this Prime Minister's watch!
In the increasingly combative electoral climate Howard is again ramping up the "tough on refugees" line. He knows its a winner with large slices of the electorate, accustomed to his brand of political correctness - its ok to be afraid of refugees and to treat them like social pariahs, but 'don't worry about that while I'm around!'.
Its classic Howard. Get the troops out to bash Labor on every issue that panders to our darkest fears. Set up the straw dog to fear, find someone or some group to blame & punish and then put yourself forward as the saviour of the day. The security man who sells you razor wire to keep out pygmy possums, and if they still get in, rounds them up and trains them to do your every bidding. Its always easy when the group you are hounding are defenseless, vulnerable and scared of being kicked back over the fence.
The ABC reports "the Democrats have attacked Federal Government moves to cut the amount of time refugees can spend in Australia before they have to start searching for work.
New arrivals have had up to 13 weeks of unemployment allowance without having to look for a job but the Government is cutting that to six weeks.
People who are learning English for at least 20 hours a week will be exempt but Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says it is a draconian step.
"I think it's overkill with an eye on the political benefits of the perceptions from the general community, rather than a genuine desire to help refugees," he said.
"There's plenty of different ways you can encourage and assist and provide incentives without having to immediately resort to threatening people's income, particularly for a group of people who already have significant disadvantages."
Yes, but then that would mean treating refugees as human beings with the same needs and concerns as the rest of us. It would require moral leadership and compassion. Forget it - not on this Prime Minister's watch!
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