Remember the outrage and incredulity you felt over the Howard government's handling of the Tampa incident?
The Refugee Rights Action Network in Western Australia is making an urgent appeal for funds to support a convergence at the Baxter detention centre in South Australia at Easter. RRAN opposes the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, the so-called Pacific solution and temporary protection visas for refugees. We seek a fair and just refugee policy that conforms to Australia's commitments to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
We battle to convince the government and the public that asylum seekers should be adequately nurtured and supported in the community while their claims are being considered. RRAN is working towards the abolition of detention centres such as Baxter.
Baxter detention centre has come to represent some of the most abhorrent aspects of Australia's current policy of mandatory detention. It is a place of hopelessness and despair and the lost souls currently confined there have been languishing, forgotten, for years. One man, Peter Qasim, is entering his seventh year in detention with no hope of release. He has committed no crime, yet he could spend the rest of his life locked up with no hope of release. As he is stateless, he cannot be deported, despite his agreement to leave.
Baxter is a place where human rights have no currency, where people who have committed no crime, but have come in search of asylum, find only electric fences and a repressive surveillance regime. The inmates declare that while Woomera detention centre was a hell hole, there are no words to describe the dreadfulness of Baxter. It is a place devoid of compassion that should be opposed by all decent Australians.
Baxter has become the focus of protest for those opposed to this government's cynical campaign of vilification and abuse of human rights. The recent election has demonstrated that we cannot rely on the official opposition party to take an ethical stand against the Howard government's official policies. Activists must build opposition to the government at a grassroots level. It is time to take a stand against racism and for justice. Do not let the detainees be forgotten.
Activists from around the country will be travelling to Baxter to protest the government's continued abuse of already traumatised people. We invite you to join us or help out by sponsoring an activist to go in your place. A bus has been hired and the seats will cost $200 each. All donations towards the cost of a seat will be greatly appreciated.
Donations can be made directly to: Refugee Rights Action Network, National Australia Bank, BSB No. 086 006, Account No. 53-142-9447. Cheques can be made out to Refugee Rights Action Network and posted to 2/75 Cambridge Street, Leederville 6007.
For more information check out the web site at <http://www.baxter05.info> or phone 0417 904 329.
From Green Left Weekly, January 26, 2005.
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