The following is a statement from the Refugee Action Collective (Victoria).
On 18 October 2009, a boatload of Tamil asylum seekers fleeing genocide and civil war in Sri Lanka was making its way towards Australia.
On receiving this information, Kevin Rudd made a phone call to the Indonesian president to demand that the boat be intercepted and taken back to Indonesia. Since then the boat of asylum seekers has been held at Merak harbour, Indonesia.
After 150 days in horrific conditions, the 234 men, women and children on board the boat are still waiting for a solution from the Australian government. Many are already recognised as legitimate refugees with UNHCR cards.
Already one asylum seeker has died due to lack of medical care, many children are malnourished and sick, and a woman is about to give birth.
While the Australian government is refusing to fulfil its international obligations (yet again!), the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is willing to come to the aid of these desperate refugees. As traditional owners of this land, the Indigenous community wants to issue Aboriginal passports to welcome each of the refugees on board the boat.
In order to do so, money needs to be raised to cover the printing costs. We are calling on all sections of the community who want to show solidarity and support for these refugees to donate to this cause.
[To donate, deposit money directly into the Refugee Action Collective account (Commonwealth Bank. BSB 063 262. Account number 1025 2396); or send a cheque to Refugee Action Collective (Vic), PO Box 578, Carlton South 3053. For information phone Mel on 0400 588 202 or Marie on 0409 252 673.]