Refugee Advocacy Network - Page 35 of 39 - A coalition of Victorian groups campaigning for rights for refugees in Australia

20 years: Far Too Long – Rally Against Mandatory Detention

April 17, 2012

On the 21st of April at 12pm, people from all walks of life will congregate in Johnstone Park (opposite Geelong train station) to protest Australia’s inhumane treatment of asylum seekers. Among the speakers will be Pamela Curr (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre), Alex Bhathal (The Greens), Sofia Viegas (Sacred Heart College) and a former detainee from Christmas Island Detention Centre. Marking the 20th anniversary of mandatory detention, the Refugee Advocacy Group will be holding a rally in Geelong to raise awareness…

Darwin case shows absurdity of two-tiered system for assessing claims of asylum: Greens

April 11, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

The Australian Greens say they are relieved that Chinese nationals in Darwin harbour will not risk trying to reach New Zealand as part of their legal right to seek asylum. “Their plight highlights the absurdity of Australia’s two-tiered system that detains people who arrive by boat and lets those who arrive by jet live in the community,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “Had these Chinese nationals flown in to Darwin, they would not be talking of their fears…

Australia should inform Chinese in Darwin of their right to seek asylum: Greens

April 11, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

Australian immigration authorities should inform Chinese nationals in Darwin harbour of their right to seek asylum here, the Australian Greens said today. “Officials should use the time remaining on the Chinese’s temporary visas to give them every opportunity to seek protection in Australia,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “Australia also has a role to play in helping the Afghan and Iranian asylum seekers who were rescued off Indonesia at the weekend. At least one asylum seeker has said…

Help host asylum seekers through Homestay

April 5, 2012

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Help Refugees

The Government’s decision to issue asylum seekers with bridging visas to live in the community while their claims are being assessed is a reform we’ve waited a long time to see. The community sector is working hard to make these new arrangements a success. If you have a spare room in your house, here’s your chance to help. Anyone willing to host an asylum seeker in their home for a six-week period can now register with the Australian Homestay Network…

Senate committee fails to support Greens’ bills keeping Indonesian children out of adult prisons; fisher folk as scapegoats

April 4, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

A Senate committee has today determined action is required but failed to support two Greens’ bills that would stop Indonesian children being imprisoned as adults and poor fisher men being used as scapegoats for people smuggling kingpins. “The bills seek to correct injustices in the system that have led to little fish being caught by Australian authorities while people smuggling syndicate heads continue to get away,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “One bill seeks to ensure people who…