An outline of RAN’s aims and objectives
Refugee Advocacy Network (RAN) Statement of Purpose
Adopted November 15 2010
This Refugee Advocacy Network was established in Victoria in April 2010 in response to the situation regarding Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Australia.
RAN brings together a wide range of people and organisations including refugees, in Victoria, concerned about the treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees and willing to advocate on behalf of their human rights.
RAN believes the policies of the Government and the Opposition do not reflect the values which Australians hold dear, in particular but not least, a sense of fairness, equal treatment under the law and a welcoming nature.
Central to the concerns of RAN are the UN conventions and instruments protecting the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees. Key among these are:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948);
- The Refugee Convention (1951);
- Protocol on the Status of Refugees (1967);
- The Convention on Torture (1984);
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989); &
- UNHCR Revised Guidelines on Criteria and Standards Regarding the Detention of Asylum Seekers (1992, 2002).
Australia is a signatory to the above UN conventions. RAN calls on our national parliament to enact these in domestic legislation.
Any situation which denies the protection provided by these statements and conventions is a matter for advocacy by RAN.
RAN operates by:
- Recognizing differences among Network organizations with respect to their purpose and differing levels of resourcing,
- Meeting regularly with representatives of participating organizations,
- Communicating principally by email and the RAN website,
- Fostering inclusion, participation and democratic decision-making,
- Promoting education and understanding of issues,
- Political lobbying,
- Drawing on evidence based research,
- taking action: holding rallies; issuing media releases; setting up petitions; increasing web presence; running campaigns; & engaging in acts of non violent civil disobedience;
- Acting peacefully.
RAN does not aim to establish an office and it does not take on individual ‘cases.