BY RALF SCHARMANN

DARWIN — Traditional owners in several Top End communities have offered sanctuary to 84 Darwin-based East Timorese asylum seekers who are facing deportation.

Marie Munkara, traditional owner of Cape Fourcroy on Bathurst Island has opposed the government's attempt to deport the East Timorese.

After consulting Aboriginal communities across the north of the Northern Territory, she announced: “We believe we should help these people. We've got places for them to stay. We'll look after them. We are offering our land”.

There are currently 1800 East Timorese refugees in Australia facing imminent deportation. Most fled Timor following the 1991 Dili massacre. It is widely acknowledged that their claims for refugee status would have been accepted if not for bureaucratic stalling by successive governments. The Coalition government, claiming that Timor is safe, is trying to force them to return.

Colin McDonald, a barrister for many of the Darwin East Timorese, was quoted in the January 18-19 Weekend Australian saying “Unlike the federal government, these Aboriginal people are looking at this issue as a moral one, based on a history which extends well beyond 200 years”. Aboriginal communities across northern Australia have trading and family links with many of the islands to the north.

The strong support in the Darwin community for the East Timorese was demonstrated at a 250-strong rally in November and a fundraiser sponsored by the NT Labor government. Chief Minister Claire Martin has submitted a personal appeal to immigration minister Philip Ruddock not to deport the 84 Darwin-based East Timorese.

To help with the campaign to stop the deportation of the East Timorese contact Anja on 08 8985 2393 or email <refugeesarewelcome@yahoo.com.au>.

From Green Left Weekly, February 5, 2003.
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