Re: Occupation of Maribyrnong Detention Centre
Wed 24 Jan 2001
Refugee Action Collective has received enormous support for the ongoing
campaign to close Australia's detention centres for refugees.
Trades Hall Council Victoria today endorsed the campaign's statement. The
statement is supported by the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and a
number of migrant and trade union groups and leaders.
Yesterday, Refugee Action Collective joined with other activists to occupy
the roof of the Maribyrnong Detention Centre on Wednesday, 24 January 2001.
The support we have gained since the action is building a much wider
response to The Liberal government's racist policies on asylum seekers.
The action follows a series of recent events exposing the maltreatment of
refugees in Australia, and the anti-refugee policies and attitudes of the
Liberal Government.
a.. Phillip Ruddock has been in Iran warning of the racism awaiting
refugees who may want to flee to Australia to escape the human rights
abuses in their own country.
b.. Viliami Tanginoa, a detainee at Maribyrnong Detention Centre,
committed suicide after an eight hour standoff with taunting guards.
Eyewitnesses have been deported, intimidated, and transferred to Melbourne
Assessment Prison.
c.. A crackdown on detainees has been planned by the Department of
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, including talk of forced sedation.
d.. Involvement in disturbances in detention centres may become grounds
for denial of refugee status.
In light of this, the action to occupy the Maribyrnong detention centre
roof demonstrates the support and welcome many Australians want to offer to
refugees.
"The racism Ruddock has spoken of is countered by a strong anti-racist
movement which would welcome refugees," said Simon O'Neill of the Refugee
Action Collective. "The suicide of Viliami Tanginoa, and the attempted
suicide a week later of Ali Kadem in Maribyrnong detention centre are
symptoms of a wider pattern of appalling treatment of refugees at the hands
of Australasian Correctional Management. The disturbances in detention
centres are a desperate response to the utterly disgraceful policy of
mandatory detention of refugees implemented by the Liberals."
We demand the Liberals stop pandering to the racist vote and close all
detention centres and renounce the policy of mandatory detention.
FREE THE REFUGEES-ABOLISH THE DETENTION CENTRES!
SACK RACIST RUDDOCK!
Contact Judy McVey, Refugee Action Collective 0418 347 374
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