Our Voices

RISE eX-detainees statement: Preventative Detention regime bill – Fear-mongering anti-immigrant and anti-refugee campaigns waged by the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal National Party once again. 06/12/2023

Today the “Preventative Detention regime” bill - another white supremacist migration law was passed in the Australian Parliament.  The Australian Labor Party and the Liberal National Party are sticking together once more to wage fear-mongering anti-refugee and...

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eX-detainee statement, November 14, 2023 – Our community has been permanently harmed by Australia’s indefinite administrative refugee detention system, and no one can undo or revoke the effects of this unfair and discriminatory practice just because it is now deemed to be “illegal”.

In 1992, the Australian Labor government introduced indefinite administrative immigration detention to block non-white refugees from coming to Australia by boat, and last week the Australian high court declared it unlawful. The news of the high court decision triggers...

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eX-detainees’ Day Statement 2023 “Australia” is a fictitious Land that resides in the minds of white supremacists, thanks to your Labor, Liberal, and Greens mandatory detention refugee policy.

We, Refugee eX-detainees in so-called Australia, mark the 13th of September 2023 as eX-detainees’ Day for the eighth year in a row. On eX-detainees’ Day, we commemorate the ongoing political struggle, pain, suffering, and resilience of refugees around the world, many...

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eX-detainees’ Statement – “Refugee Week” or “Refugee Day” is like a parody of a PR saviour campaign while we suffer continuous discrimination and detention abuse in Western and non-Western countries.

At present, there are over 103 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, with over 32 million refugees among them. Over 1 million refugee children were born as refugees. What is the main aim of "Refugee Week" or "Refugee Day," originally initiated by UNHCR (the UN...

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eX-detainee Refugees who arrived by boat in Australia strongly condemn the UK government’s proposed adoption of Australia’s neo-fascist, anti-refugee “stop the boats” blue-print

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and eX-detainees is the first not-for-profit Refugee and Asylum seeker organisation in Australia to be governed by eX-detainee Refugees. We were founded in 2010 by an eX-detainee who was held hostage in both offshore and onshore detention...

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“Bedding with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, who torture and abuse us, makes you a white supremacist” – eX-detainee Refugees about “Queer Displacement conference”

"Bedding with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, who tortures and abuses us, makes you a white supremacist" - eX-detainee Refugees about "Queer Displacement conference” While queers were parading with politicians, military, police, and detention profiteers at...

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Queer eX-detainees urge artists, presenters, and other participants to boycott the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, which also hosts WorldPride 2023, in so-called Sydney, Australia.

Queer eX-detainees urge artists, presenters, and other participants to boycott the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, which also hosts WorldPride 2023, in so-called Sydney, Australia. Who are we ?RISE:Refugee, survivors and eX-detainees is a not-for-profit...

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SHAME, if you are applauding the Australian Labor government’s recent announcement that 19000 eX-detainees are eligible for permanent residency “early next year” : The Labor party has blood on its hands (31/12/2022)

When Labor recently announced without any clear details, that 19000 eX-detainees are "eligible" for permanent visas, Australian journos simply appeared to rehash the government’s PR/media brief and failed to question the Labor Party's own culpability in Australia’s...

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eX-detainees at RISE highly condemn the recommendations of non self-determined Human rights and Refugee/Asylum seeker support organisations and individuals in so-called Australia to the UN Subcommittee for the prevention of Torture.

eX-detainees at RISE highly condemn the recommendations of non self-determined Human rights and Refugee/Asylum seeker support organisations and individuals in so-called Australia to the UN Subcommittee for the prevention of Torture. Our take on these NGOs’ broken...

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eX-detainees’ statement :  Dump the refugee saviour industrial complex and create space for lasting change –  eX-detainees’ in so-called Australia call for a boycott of “Refugee Week”, and “World Refugee Day” 20/06/2022

When our quest for freedom and safety has been sabotaged and questioned,When our lives are crushed and disabled permanently in Australian-run detention centres,When we are systematically discriminated against outside detention centres as well;Eating refugee-cooked...

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Media Release : 20/05/2022 – Mandatory refugee detention is not only arbitrary detention – from our experience, it is the mandatory torture of refugees. RISE eX-detainees urge the Australian Public NOT to Vote for Any Parties that Support Mandatory Detention Policies – not for 1 day or indefinitely – during Federal Election 2022

For thirty years during every Australian federal election campaign, our lives have been used as political fodder to advance the careers of politicians and their associates. We are not your political pawns. Enough is enough - we request the Australian public NOT to...

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RISE eX-detainees’ Media Statement 16/05/2022 : Australia has provided the world with a blueprint for contemporary modes of border imperialism. Both the Australian Labor party and Liberal/Nationals in agreement that ex-prisoners in detention should pay for the million dollar cost of their time in immigration detention as part of their white supremacist blueprint package.

RISE eX-detainees’ Media Statement 16/05/2022 : Australia has provided the world with a blueprint for contemporary modes of border imperialism. Both the Australian Labor party and Liberal/Nationals in agreement that ex-prisoners in detention should pay for the million...

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RISE eX-detainees Statement : We cannot celebrate Detained Refugees getting released by the Australian government without guarantee of permanent protection and long term support – The government’s refugee torture and discrimination system is indefinite.

We cannot celebrate Detained Refugees getting released by the Australian government without guarantee of permanent protection and long term support - The government’s refugee torture and discrimination system is indefinite.  If you are celebrating refugee detainees...

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RISE eX-detainees Statement : Occupation, Genocide, Aiding WAR and now making a mockery out of people seeking asylum almost seems to be imprinted in the Australian government’s white supremacist DNA.

Occupation, Genocide, Aiding WAR and now making a mockery out of people seeking asylum almost seems to be imprinted in the Australian government's white supremacist DNA. This is not a Joke : the Australian government is organising a competition for Sri Lankan...

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eX-detainees’ Statement : Three refugee survivor detainees have been tested positive for COVID-19 in Park Hotel detention centre in Melbourne, Australia. #OzHotelPrisons 18/10/2021

Three refugee survivor detainees evacuated from Papua New Guinea and Nauru for “medical treatment” to Australia have been tested positive for COVID-19 in Park Hotel detention centre in Melbourne, Australia.  There are reports that other refugee survivors detained in...

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RISE eX-detainees condemns any groups or individuals encouraging the Australian government or any other government involved in the US led intervention to restrict the intake of Afghan Refugees to a quota during the current crisis. 23/08/2021

RISE eX-detainees condemns any groups or individuals encouraging the Australian government or any other government involved in the US led intervention to restrict the intake of Afghan Refugees to a quota during the current crisis. “Refugee quota” is a racist and white...

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Australia, US, UK, Canada and ALL other countries involved in the occupation of Afghanistan have blood on their hands: RISE eX-detainees call for immediate permanent protection and sanctuary in Australia for Afghan eX-detainees and detainees held in Australia’s onshore and offshore detention camps, asylum seekers and their families

The military occupation of Afghanistan has resulted in deaths and injuries of civilians and war crimes – it has also forcibly displaced and uprooted entire communities from their homelands and has a long-lasting impact that is likely to carry over to the descendants...

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eX-detainees demand the immediate release of refugee detainees at The Park Hotel Melbourne, along with state accountability and action for permanent protection and community settlement.

eX-detainees demand the immediate release of refugee detainees at The Park Hotel Melbourne, along with state accountability and action for permanent protection and community settlement. There are over 30 Refugee detainees being held hostage within the City of...

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RISE highly condemns campaign and rights organisations like GetUp, ASRC, Human Rights law centre, migrant organisations and campaigners and NGOs in Australia staying silent on Israeli military attacks on Palestinian land and the genocide of their citizens. 17/05/2021

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and eX-detainees, highly condemns campaign and rights organisations like GetUp, ASRC, Human Rights law centre, migrant organisations and other so-called "progressive" campaigners and NGOs in Australia staying silent on Israeli military...

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eX-detainees’ Statement 14/05/2021: Unashamed white Australia allocates $464 Million on expanding the onshore refugee detention torture network during the Australian 2021 budget.

eX-detainees’ Statement 14/05/2021: Unashamed white Australia allocates $464 Million on expanding the onshore refugee detention torture network during the Australian 2021 budget.  While spending $464 Million on expanding the onshore refugee detention torture network,...

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eX-detainees’ Statement 11/05/2021 : eX-detainees condemn the Australian Government’s recent move of “fast-tracking”  the asylum status assessment process of more than 1000 asylum seekers in Australia by the end of June 2021.

eX-detainees' Statement 11/05/2021 : eX-detainees condemn the Australian Government's recent move of “fast-tracking”  the asylum status assessment process of more than 1000 asylum seekers in Australia by the end of June 2021. The Coalition Government is targeting...

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eX-detainees’ Statement : eX-detainees urge anyone who is organising detention protests and rallies to STOP inviting politicians or detention workers. It is Triggering, Unacceptable and commodifies our experiences. 07/05/2021

Enough is Enough! eX-detainees urge anyone who is organising detention protests and rallies to STOP inviting politicians or detention workers. It is Triggering, Unacceptable and commodifies our experiences. RISE highly condemns those who are continuously organising...

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#StudentWalkOut Media Release : 04/05/2021 – Students who support human rights everywhere should join the call of eX-detainees to End Detention Centres and End Mandatory Detention Policy

#StudentWalkOut Media Release : 04/05/2021 - Students who support human rights everywhere should join the call of eX-detainees to End Detention Centres and End Mandatory Detention Policy  RISE eX-detainees are calling for students across Australia to take action...

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eX-detainees demand the immediate release of refugee detainees at The Park Hotel Melbourne, along with state accountability and action for permanent protection and community settlement.- 19/03/2021

#OzHotelPrisons eX-detainees demand the immediate release of refugee detainees at The Park Hotel Melbourne, along with state accountability and action for permanent protection and community settlement. Yesterday, (19th of April 2021) 17 Refugee detainees were forcibly...

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RISE eX-detainees’ Statement 19/02/2021 : The eX-detainee Refugee community demands the Australian Government and Medical advisory groups include us in the vaccine priority list

RISE eX-detainees Statement : 18/02/2021 The eX-detainee Refugee community demands the Australian Government and Medical advisory groups include us in the vaccine priority list. The eX-detainee community in Australia is ONE of the most disadvantaged communities in...

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RISE eX-detainees’ Statement 12/02/2021 : RISE highly condemns the Victorian Government and DHHS (Department of Health and Human services) for resorting to frequent lock-downs in Victoria without proper infection control plans.

RISE eX-detainees’ Statement 12/02/2021 RISE highly condemns the Victorian Government and DHHS (Department of Health and Human services) for resorting to frequent lock-downs in Victoria without proper infection control plans. This is a reality we need to face every...

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eX-detainees demand the immediate release of refugee detainees at The Park Hotel Melbourne, along with state accountability and action for permanent protection and community settlement.

Yesterday, (17th of December 2020) Refugee detainees were transferred from their prison in Mantra Hotel to another #OzHotelPrison in The Park Hotel Melbourne. eX-detainees demand the immediate release of refugee detainees, along with state accountability and action...

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Media Release: eX-detainees urge the residents in Darebin NOT to vote for council election candidates who have not taken active and material steps to release our community detained in the Mantra Bell City Hotel.

More than 50 refugees are arbitrarily detained within the confines of the Mantra Bell City Hotel, Preston in the Melbourne metropolitan area. In 2019, every one of these refugee detainees was evacuated to Australia for medical treatment and detained in the Hotel after...

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Media Release : We eX-detainees condemn the ‘Refugee Council of Australia’ and demand that they withdraw their proposal to send eX-detainees and Asylum seekers for fruit picking and farming jobs in exchange for “residency”.

eX-detainees condemn the so-called ‘Refugee Council of Australia’ (headed and led by white non-refugees/eX-detainees) who have recently proposed to Australian MPs to send eX-detainees, Asylum seekers and Refugees on TPV and SHEV to work in the regional areas due to a...

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RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees calls on the Victorian Trade Hall Council (VTHC) to condemn the brutal police lockdown of 9 public housing towers in Flemington, and North Melbourne.

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees calls on the Victorian Trade Hall Council (VTHC) to condemn the brutal police lockdown of 9 public housing towers in Flemington, and North Melbourne.   While VTHC has launched a fundraiser for those living in lockdown, this...

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RISE: Refugee, Survivors and eX-detainees condemn Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew’s brutal use of 500 police to enforce a “hard lockdown” of nine public housing estates in North Melbourne and Flemington

RISE: Refugee, Survivors and eX-detainees condemns Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew’s use of 500 police to brutally enforce a 5 day “hard lockdown” on nine public housing estates in North Melbourne and Flemington during this COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition to being low...

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RISE Exclusive Media Release : More than 100 Musicians / Artists divested from Australia’s Refugee Detention Industry in solidarity with eX-detainees and current detainees facing ongoing torture and abuse , 04/06/2020

RISE eX-detainees wholeheartedly welcome the action taken by over 100 musicians and artists who have divested from Australia's abusive Refugee detention industry. RISE eX-detainees have been working with a group of Australian based musicians and artists over the last...

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RISE Media Statement 07/04/2020 : As COVID-19 continues to spread, the eX-detainee Community in Australia urges the Australian government to immediately release all onshore and offshore refugee detainees and grant permanent protection for all Refugees

As COVID-19 continues to spread, the eX-detainee Community in Australia urges the Australian government to immediately release all onshore and offshore refugee detainees and grant permanent protection for all Refugees The deadly Coronavirus has been detected in...

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RISE Media Statement : ?NO Bush fire evacuation plan provided by Peter Dutton and Refugee support groups for eX-detainee Refugees forced to move to regional Australia by the Department of Home Affairs?

RISE is highly concerned about the welfare of eX-detainee refugees in Australia who are forced by Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton?s government to move to regional areas on SHEV 790 subclass visa. The Department of Home Affairs is yet to provide or publicly announce a...

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Thuy?n nh?n Vi?t Nam xin t? n?n ?ang b? ?e do? tr?c xu?t v? n??c, c?ng ??ng ng??i Vi?t ph?i l?m sao? (Vietnamese asylum seekers arrived by boat is being threatened of deportation, what can the Vietnamese community do?) – 12/10/2018

By RISE Vietnamese Member who seeks asylum in Australia. (Scroll down for English version) Thuy?n nh?n Vi?t Nam xin t? n?n ?ang b? ?e do? tr?c xu?t v? n??c, c?ng ??ng ng??i Vi?t ph?i l?m sao? C?c thuy?n nh?n Vi?t Nam v?a ??n ?c h?m 27/08/2018 ?? b? c?c ng??i d?n ??a...

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This is the fifth year that RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-detainees, the first self-determined advocacy and welfare organisation in Australia run by Refugees for Refugees continues to call for a boycott of Refugee week.

This is the fifth year that RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-detainees, the first self-determined advocacy and welfare organisation in Australia run by Refugees for Refugees continues to call for a boycott of Refugee week. ?Meanwhile almost every agency across the...

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SANCTION AUSTRALIA FUNDRAISER

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-detainees is the first welfare and advocacy organisation governed entirely by refugees, asylum seekers and ex-detainees in Australia. RISE represents over 30 refugee community groups in Australia and located in Melbourne. In October...

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Urgent Request by RISE ex-detainees for protests and actions on Melbourne Cup day to bring to the World?s attention the escalating crisis faced by Refugees held hostage by Australia on Manus – 05/11/2017

RISE ex-detainees urgently requests protests and other actions to be held next Tuesday, 7th November 2017 on Melbourne Cup day, a high profile international event, to bring to the world?s attention the escalating crisis faced by detainees held hostage by the...

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YOUR SCRIPT TO THE RIGHTS GROUPS

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I.. (name)..... from (location) urge (insert human rights group) to sanction Australia and exclude Australia from participation in all international humanitarian and human rights decision making processes. Australia has been committing crimes...

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RISE OPEN LETTER TO RIGHTS GROUPS

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, Immediate action has to be taken on this, as Australia has become infamous as a resource centre for many other countries to shape anti-refugee policies. On behalf of our members and governing staff from over 30 refugee and ex-detainee...

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Letter from an Ex-detainee

As an ex-detainee I do not support any form of mandatory detention. As ex-detainees, we continue to suffer from mandatory detention and institutionalised forms of torture. For more than 20 years our communities have experienced death in detention, inhumane and...

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Why I support RISE?

1. RISE is autonomously run by refugees, mainly ex-detainees 2. I'm a refugee & a person of colour 3. RISE doesn't use images of refugees to gain funding 4. RISE is founded by an ex-detainee 5. RISE board and staff are from refugee backgrounds 6. RISE supports...

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#BlockTheBill Campaign 2018

#BlockTheBill Campaign 2018

What is the ?lifetime ban? on refugees? The Coalition is proposing a bill amendment that would prevent asylum seekers arriving by boat after 19 July 2013 from ever entering Australia. On 19 July 2013, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that from this day...

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Update on RISE?s #BlockTheBill Campaign

Dear RISE members and supporters, As you know, last week RISE started the #BlockTheBill campaign after members of parliament in Australia?s lower house passed the bill for a lifetime ban of refugees coming by boat.The lifetime ban of refugees bill has NOT yet been...

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We ex-detainees and survivors of torture and abuse at RISE, support the Emergency actions for the children of Don Dale and all prisons rally organised by First Nations Community groups across Australia. 28/07/2016

As refugees, asylum seekers and ex detainees in Australia, we acknowledge that the land we seek protection on is the land of Indigenous peoples where sovereignty was never ceded. The recent report by Four Corners on institutionalised torture in Don Dale Youth...

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Open letter from ex-detainee and torture survivor to the Wheelers Centre, on their questionable decision to invite Human rights violator Phillip Ruddock to speak Today on ?Human Rights? – 12/07/2016

Event details ? Today (Tuesday, 12th July 2016) 6.15pm-7.15pm - here I am writing to complain about your forthcoming event featuring Phillip Ruddock. My name is Abdul Baig. I am a former refugee, now Australian citizen, and I was detained in immigration detention for...

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RISE?s Federal Election Pledge 2016:

?We do not support any form of detention, doesn?t matter 1 day or 30 days or 1 year? On behalf of our members and governing staff from over 30 of the refugee and ex-detainee communities in Australia, RISE urges the Australian public to say NO to utilising refugees and...

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EAL Teachers – application closed

Estimated hours: Negotiable (estimated 2 - 4 hours) (volunteer). Where: A location in Springvale (ten minutes walk from station. A large proportion of work is organising from home. When: Class held 12:30 - 3:30 Sundays (beginning first Sunday in February). Most work...

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Teacher?s Assistant – application closed

Estimated hours per fortnight: 4 hours (volunteer) When: Sundays, 12:30 - 3:20 Where: Springvale (10 minute walk from the train station) Who: You will work with the Program Coordinator, Class Facilitators, other Teacher?s Assistants, an English as an Additional...

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RISE Arts’ Space Equipment Appeal

Dear Friends, We would like to bring to your attention an exciting new initiative within RISE. As part of the new RISE drop-in centre we are seeking to establish a community-based performance space. The drop-in centre will provide a platform for aspiring artists in...

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WHY BORDERS IMPACT ON US?

WHY BORDERS IMPACT ON US?

I was released from detention two years ago, but I get lost by asking myself these Questions? It?s very sophisticated, because I ran from war into war! Struggling and striving for basic human rights, I discovered how oppression and xenophobic border policies impact on...

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Criminalisation Of Our People

Criminalisation of our people by Australian government calling us [illegal] and decriminalisation of their people in order to maintain their interest is called [justice system]. Our people are the most vulnerable to sexualised torture, and rape! It is how our people...

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RISE Winter Appeal 2015

It?s winter again which means most of the asylum seekers and refugees who are on the bridging visa with no rights and low income are in desperate need of our services. Most must try to make ends meet with a meagre allowance that is less than Newstarts. Buying...

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RISE’s response to Refugee Week 2015:

The world has forcibly displaced over 57 million people, the highest number since World War II. Most of the displaced refugees are hosted by non-signatory refugee countries, yet most people who celebrate Refugee week are signatories of the refugee convention. There...

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RISE Winter Clothing Appeal – 2014

It?s nearing winter again which means it?s time to bring out the coats. With the success of last year?s Winter Coat Appeal, RISE is once again welcoming donations of quality winter clothing. Unfortunately, many of our members endure the cold winter months without...

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RISE Media Release (4 April 2014): The forced transfer of asylum seekers in Sydney?s Villawood detention centre to the remote desert camp of Curtin and Yongah Hill in Western Australia

RISE condemns the acts of violence yesterday, against asylum seekers in Villawood detention centre in Sydney, Australia by SERCO security guards under instructions from the Australian department of immigration and border protection. A few days ago, asylum seekers were...

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RISE, “Australia day” and boats

RISE does not endorse any movement that claims to be pro-refugee but celebrates ?Australia day?. To link our community to such events and white-wash this history is not just insensitive to the indigenous communities of Australia but also to most of us from...

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RISE music studio need your support

Dear Friends, We would like to bring to your attention an exciting new initiative within RISE. As part of the RISE Cypher Project we are seeking to establish a community based recording studio. The RISE music studio will give opportunities to aspiring young artists to...

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RISE call to action (15/10/2013)

Suicide Attempt yesterday (14/10/2013) in Melbourne immigration transit accommodation: Refugee, M47, a father and husband, separated from his family for more than 6 years, detained administratively in transition countries and now indefinitely detained in Australia for...

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HiRISE PRESS RELEASE- 3 September 2013

HiRISE- a unique live art performance bringing stories from our city?s high rises? to the stages of Melbourne Fringe 2013. ReDefiant and RISE (Refugees, Survivors and ex-detainees) are excited to announce their latest live performance at this year?s Fringe Festival,...

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RISE ALERT 28/8/2013

STOP Mass deportation of Sri Lankan asylum seekers planned this week by Australia and SAVE LIVES: The Australian government is planning to deport scores of Sri Lankan asylum seekers to potential danger from Christmas Island over the next week WITHOUT allowing them to...

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Gift voucher appeal ? ?The RISE Pantry?

The RISE Pantry provides access to free dry food, fruits and vegetables at the RISE drop in centre which is open on weekdays from 9am-5pm and Sat from 10am-2pm. The aim of the RISE Pantry is to provide general access to any of our members emergency food assistance.As...

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Performance Storytelling Workshops

RISE will deliver its first storytelling workshops this August, in partnership with Chicago?s 2nd Story who deliver unique storytelling experiences that provoke and challenge. The workshops are a facilitated introduction to performance storytelling, a movement...

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Urgent alert from Australia (22 May 2013):

Stop the refoulement of 14 Sri Lankan Tamil Asylum Seekers! The Australian government has separated 14 Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers, 4 men, 3 women and 6 children (including a 6 month old baby), who arrived by boat and were detained in a remote immigration...

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RISE Foodbank Appeal

Food insecurity and hunger are very real problems facing refugees and asylum seekers in Australia. The FoodBank service at RISE has been running since 2011, and the number of people who have accessed this service has increased much faster than anticipated. At present...

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RISE WINTER CLOTHING APPEAL

Winter is fast approaching and we?re all feeling the chill. Unfortunately, many of our members endure the cold winter months without heating or even adequate clothing to keep them warm.? At present there are over 9000 asylum seekers on bridging visas and around 4000...

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RISE – Upcoming Fundraising Events

Support one of the events by being part of it or make a donation 1. RUN MELBOURNE 2013 Would you like to be a PROUD RUNNER for the first refugee and asylum seeker welfare and advocacy organisation in Australia to be run largely by refugees, asylum seekers, and...

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RISE Alert Manus Island:

The Australian Government?s ?humanitarian? solution Manus Island in Papua New Guinea is now the latest offshore camp being used by the Australian government to forcibly transport and indefinitely detain asylum seekers, men, women and children, who arrive in Australia...

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Hazara community mourns deaths in Quetta

As the Hazara community mourns deaths in Quetta, please keep in mind that the Australian government is working with Pakistani intelligence to stop Hazara people from fleeing Pakistan to safety in Australia. Take action and express your concerns to Bob Carr, Julia...

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Who is making money out of human misery

Say NO to The Detention Industry and making money out of human misery. RISE is aware of a number of members from the refugee and immigrant community as well as the wider community being approached by detention service providers such as SERCO, AMES, IHMS and DIAC...

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Professional Anti-Racism Training

Starting in January 2013, RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees will be running? professional anti-racism training for the staff and/or volunteers of organisations that regularly interact with individuals who experience racism. We aim to provide participants with...

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The RISE Cypher Project Media Release

16/10/2012 RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-detainees) is excited to announce launch of a community based recording studio in November as part of the RISE Cypher Project. The RISE music studio will give opportunities to aspiring young artists to positively express...

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RUN4RISE

RISE?s tutoring program for refugees and asylum seekers fills a gap in the community - it is a free pre-intermediate program, run by volunteers and qualified teachers, targeting students with some English language skills so that they will be able to improve to the...

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Offshore Processing: Deadly And Incoherent

Asylum seekers who have endured hardships, to cross many borders and reach the open seas with barely $2 left in their pockets, are being punished and politicised as queue jumpers. The general public are asking, ?Why don?t they come the ?right? way? But if you are an...

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RISE Tutoring

RISE supports refugee and asylum seeker communities to meet their educational needs by offering advice and personalised guidance about the various educational pathways available. RISE has developed a tutoring project that fills a gap in the community and complements...

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The charade of Australian-Sri Lankan relations

30/07/2012 After the forcible return in the face of desperate pleas, and 16 hours of continuous interrogation by Sri Lanka?s notorious Criminal Investigations Department in the presence of Australian authorities, returned Tamil asylum seeker Mr X has become an emblem...

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Raid at Villawood IDC on 10.07.2012

The ?Family Compound? (also called Sydney Residential Housing Centre-SRHC) in Villawood IDC has been searched and mobile phones confiscated by SERCO yesterday. One of the refugees has also been transferred to the high security Fowler camp in Villawood IDC. About a...

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The deteriorating situation at MITA

Asylum seekers and refugees held in MITA (Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation): A man attempted to hang himself this week. Last week a teenager cut his neck. About a week before that a man was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after he was found speaking to...

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Minister Scott Morrison’s fear tactics

RISE is concerned by the comments of Scott Morrison, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, who on 27 February 2012 said ?when illegal boats turn up in our waters there will always be the risk that people on these boats will carry serious communicable...

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Where are you from?

Two days ago I was walking on my way to work and, as always, I have my coffee on Flinders Lane in central Melbourne. While waiting for my coffee, a well-meaning Australian came up to me and asked me what my ethnicity was. I had no idea who he was nor did I know what...

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Our views on offshore processing

RISE is extremely concerned about the continued raising of an asylum seeker deal between regional and Australian governments, recently rehashed by Independent MP, Rob Oakeshott. Minister for Immigration and Labor MP, Chris Bowen has recently announced his support for...

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Protests are democratic actions

Both Liberal and Labour parties have cited last year?s protests as ?criminal actions?, but Australian detention centres are being used as crypts to bury the voices and narratives of oppressed men, women and children who are seeking freedom. What democratic options do...

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Xenophobia or racial discrimination?

Is this a form of xenophobia or racial discrimination? Seeking asylum is not a crime and it is a right that is upheld by the laws of this land as well as the UN Refugee Convention that our country has pledged to support. Yet in recent times, successive Australian...

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Asylum seekers at Scherger detention centre

Two asylum seekers from Scherger detention centre in QLD have to go to court this week without a lawyer and are likely to lose their case because of this. Immigration detention is supposed to be for ?administrative purposes?-does this mean ?doing everything unfair to...

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ALERT from Curtin IDC

Asylum seeker (wife and two preschool aged children living in conflict zone) detained 1 year and 11 months, attempted to hang himself on Friday. He has been discharged from hospital today and back taken back to Curtin. He slept in a tent for 9 months when he was in...

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