Kosovars offer solidarity to indigenous struggle
BY LESLIE WILLIAMS
CANBERRA — A smoke ceremony was held by Aboriginal Tent Embassy activists here on June 23 to welcome members of the Kosova Freedom Network (KFN).
The Kosova Freedom Embassy, a small caravan from which the Kosova Freedom Network operates, was towed and parked next to the Tent Embassy's two demountables. Accompanying the Kosovar refugees was Tahir Cambis, the Bosnian film-maker of Exile in Sarajevo.
KFN members told Green Left Weekly that more than 90% of the Kosovar refugees accepted by Australia during the Kosova crisis have now "voluntarily returned". The truth is, they said, the Australian government gave the refugees little choice but to return to their ruined home country.
Of the approximately 300 refugees left in Australia, 25 are in detention centres: 21 in Port Hedland, two in Maribyrnong and two in Sydney. Twenty-seven have disappeared and been declared illegal. Another 130 people are spread around the country, having had their visas extended for "a bit longer" because health problems prevent their immediate return.
A further 130 people have been granted "bridging visas" which allow time for their requests for protection and permanent visas to be processed.
The KFN fears that all these refugees will be forced to return to Kosovar unless they receive support and solidarity from the Australian people.
The KFN approached the Tent Embassy with a message of solidarity with the Australian indigenous struggle. In return, the Tent Embassy has taken up the refugees' cause. After the June 23 ceremony, Tent Embassy activist Isobel Coe condemned the inhumanity of the Australian government.
The KFN held a candlelight march and vigil before leaving Canberra. The Kosova Freedom Embassy is travelling south to continue its campaign to inform more people about the plight of Kosovar refugees in Australia.