Media Release***Media Release***Media Release
Protests Against Phillip Ruddock and Racist Immigration Policy
Resistance, the socialist youth organisation which organised the 1998
secondary student walkouts against Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, has
pledged to organise protests outside of Minister for Immigration, Phillip
Ruddock's current round of national meetings. The aim of the meetings is to
"consult" the public on the government's migration and humanitarian
programs. Resistance has learnt that these meeting will be held in:
Newcastle on February 18, Hobart on February 23, Adelaide on February 25,
Penrith in Sydney on March 1, Melbourne on March 2 and Canberra on March 9.
The recent round of racist Federal Government immigration policy has
resulted in massive human rights abuses against refugees within Australia.
A smuggled letter from the Curtin detention centre reveals the conditions
and attacks on basic rights which refugees are currently facing
Resistance activist Stuart Munckton said, "In 1998 we protested against the
racist policies of Hanson's One Nation Party. The exact same policies being
implemented by the federal Liberal government. The ALP is also supporting
the new round of racist immigration policies. The anti-racism campaign in
1998 proved the massive support in the broader community and particularly
amongst young people against racism. We think it is imperative to take up
the latest round of attacks and to expose the government's hypocrisy on
this issue."
"The April 1997, United Nations Human Rights Commission found that
Austalia's mandatory detention policy was in breach of section 9.1 and 9.4
of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights because it was
"arbitrary" and "unlawful". In May 1998, the Human Rights and Equal
Opportunities Commission released a report, They Came From Over The Seas,
which also criticised the mandatory detention policy and the wide-ranging
breaches of human rights in detention centres", commented Munckton.
"People seeking refugee status in Australia are treated like criminals and
currently have no rights. Their access to legal representation is limited.
Most can't even gain access to contact family and friends residing in
Australia. The Liberals are currently proposing the refugees work as fruit
pickers to 'pay their way' without receiving award wages. This is another
further attack on basic human rights", concluded Munckton.
Resistance is demanding:
a.. no mandatory detention for asylum seekers
b.. close down the detention camps
c.. the border protection act be repealed
d.. permanent residence rights for refugees
e.. end the criminalisation of refugees, full legal rights for asylum
seekers.
f.. equal rights for migrants and refugees including access to jobs,
health care and education
g.. full wages at award levels
h.. an open door immigration policy
For interviews and information about protests phone:
Adelaide, Stuart M, Ph. 08 8231 6982;=20
Canberra, Ruth R, Ph. 02 6247 2424;=20
Hobart, Rohan P, Ph. 03 6234 6397
Melbourne, Sarah P, Ph. 03 9639 8622
Newcastle, Erin K, Ph. 02 49265328
Parramatta, Kylie M, Ph. 02 9635 8449
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