RISE ex-detainees request supporters to raise awareness during the AFL Grand Final Day, Saturday 29th September 2018, to bring to the world?s attention the escalating crisis faced by detainees held hostage by the Australian government in offshore and onshore detention centres. We also ask our supporters to raise awareness internationally on the day at Australian embassies across the world, to show your solidarity with our community and #SanctionAustralia for their crimes against humanity.

There have been many inquiries and many reports of rape, sexual abuse and torture in Australia?s refugee detention camps since they were opened more than 26 years ago, yet these abuses continue because not a single Immigration Minister or administrator in the Australian government have been held accountable. Depression, suicide, and other mental illnesses are pervasive within Australian detention centres, and are often a direct result of the experience of detention itself. No refugee wants to be left in limbo, but the Australian government has consistently shown a lack of transparency and accountability, breaking faith with Refugees.

Australia has one of the highest concentration of media ownership in the world and therefore less likely to expose the torture, abuse and murder of our community who are fleeing wars and conflicts that mainly serve capitalist interests. We should not stay silent when there are lives at stake. If we do not act, refugees in Australian-run detention centres will continue to be tortured and abused by the Australian government, and be forced to deport or self-deport.

Please take action and #SanctionAustralia to send a strong message to the Australian government and show the world that you stand against Australia?s criminal administrative detention regime implemented more than 26 years ago against us refugees. The international community should also condemn Australia, a member of the UN Human rights council, for exploiting less affluent countries such as Papua New Guinea and Nauru and using them as proxies to carry out human rights abuses against refugees.

Who are we?
RISE: Refugee Survivors and Ex-detainees is the first entirely self-determined refugee advocacy and welfare organisation in Australia. We seek direction from the RISE ex-detainee group in carrying out this action.

Read more about eX-detainees led and managed #sanctionAustralia campaign here: riserefugee.org/sanctionaustralia

RISE Ex-detainee Team
RISE : Refugee Survivors and Ex-detainees
#SanctionAustralia