Firstly we like to thank everyone for supporting our call for protests and other actions on Melbourne Cup day and for participating in our #MelbourneCup Twitter storm http://riserefugee.org/melbournecup-twitter-storm-to-bring-attention-to-the-crisis-faced-by-refugees-in-manus/ to bring the escalating hostage crisis faced by our people held by Australia in Manus to the world?s attention. But there is more work to do. Our people are still not free. We eX-detainees urge our supporters to keep up the pressure and continue the protests and actions with the collective goal of making sure all detainees held hostages on the island are evacuated and given permanent protection in Australia and if they choose, New Zealand.
At present refugee detainees are refusing to leave Australia’s detention camp in Manus simply because they are being moved to another form of Detention. The Australian Government has cut all resources including power and water to the camp. This disgraceful situation cannot continue and international agencies need to take urgent action to prevent mass atrocities against the Manus refugees. We should not wait for another refugee to be killed or maimed due to the Australian government?s racist policies. 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 should stop using us as political pawns and stop dumping its refugee responsibilities to less wealthy countries such as PNG and Nauru. Refugees in offshore camps on Nauru and Manus are not allowed to go to New Zealand and are permanently banned from resettling in Australia – What sort of cruelty is this? Stand up and take action against these xenophobic politicians and show the world we do not support human rights violations against refugees.
While you take action on this urgent matter, get involved in eX-detainees #SanctionAustralia. RISE eX-detainees call for immediate pressure to be placed on Australia from major international human rights bodies in the way of sanctions that address their deliberate and inhumane mandatory detention and refugee boat push back policies. Specifically, Australia should be excluded in participating in international humanitarian and human rights fora until mandatory detention and refoulement of asylum seekers is abolished in Australia.
RISE eX-detainee Members.