http://bluekeyblog.org/blue-key/refugee-stories-6-voices-for-6-decades
Interesting clips outlining stories by refugees from different countries.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Saturday, 20 April 2013
HUNGER STRIKES
All indefinite detention refugees in the Broad meadows detention center were hunger striking for 10 days. They not only stopped eating but stayed outside for that entire time on the small cricket pitch. Two of my Tamil friends were taken to hospital for severe malnourishment.
I visited them just after the strike finished and it brought tears to my eyes seeing my friends so weak and skinny. Even though they were so tired and still had hunger pain they insisted on bringing me and my friend food and cups of cardamon tea.
Julia Gillard was interviewed on the radio about the strikes and she actually sounded repugnant. She even said that there was no point striking because their 'situation hasn't changed'. If being in detention in a country that is not your own for over 4 years doesn't change your situation - I don't know what does.
Here are a few ways my friends situations have changed:
- They have become suicidal at times - even attempting
- They loved ones have disappeared out of their lives due to marrying someone else
- They have grown 4 or 5 years older
- They are terrified about the future
- They have nothing to live for and no autonomy
All of which they did not expect when they were interviewed by ASIO.
That interview by ASIO about their security was only based on questions put to the refugees and then decided upon based on "well they MIGHT be lying". Talk about 'fair and proper checks' that Julia Gillard spoke of.
The thing is - most people are getting confused with this issue and their fears of 'Australia having not enough room for refugees' - well I say this is a SEPARATE issue because Australia has already accepted these men as refugees - therefore agreeing to protect them and then denies them their human rights. There are currently under 60 indefinite detention refugees in Melbourne - is Australia not big enough for them? The government is spending money on keeping them in detention - why not let them work in the community and contribute to our economy.
The final point being -if you accept refugees it must be Australia's responsibility to treat them within their human rights.
I visited them just after the strike finished and it brought tears to my eyes seeing my friends so weak and skinny. Even though they were so tired and still had hunger pain they insisted on bringing me and my friend food and cups of cardamon tea.
Julia Gillard was interviewed on the radio about the strikes and she actually sounded repugnant. She even said that there was no point striking because their 'situation hasn't changed'. If being in detention in a country that is not your own for over 4 years doesn't change your situation - I don't know what does.
Here are a few ways my friends situations have changed:
- They have become suicidal at times - even attempting
- They loved ones have disappeared out of their lives due to marrying someone else
- They have grown 4 or 5 years older
- They are terrified about the future
- They have nothing to live for and no autonomy
All of which they did not expect when they were interviewed by ASIO.
That interview by ASIO about their security was only based on questions put to the refugees and then decided upon based on "well they MIGHT be lying". Talk about 'fair and proper checks' that Julia Gillard spoke of.
The thing is - most people are getting confused with this issue and their fears of 'Australia having not enough room for refugees' - well I say this is a SEPARATE issue because Australia has already accepted these men as refugees - therefore agreeing to protect them and then denies them their human rights. There are currently under 60 indefinite detention refugees in Melbourne - is Australia not big enough for them? The government is spending money on keeping them in detention - why not let them work in the community and contribute to our economy.
The final point being -if you accept refugees it must be Australia's responsibility to treat them within their human rights.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Useful website
http://margaretmayhew.com/
This is a wonderful link full of well sourced articles on world issues. Take a look!
This is a wonderful link full of well sourced articles on world issues. Take a look!
Worried
I am very worried about some of my friends in detention. One man last week had sewn his lips together in protest. This meant that he was also on a hunger strike which lasted at least 6 days. This is a clear sign that depression and anxiety is high. One of my friends admitted that he had suicidal thoughts that same week and was taken to a psychiatric hospital and pumped full of drugs. A 'holiday' to make him feel better?
It makes me feel like passing on the message - we need to spread the word about refugees. People's lives are at stake.
It makes me feel like passing on the message - we need to spread the word about refugees. People's lives are at stake.
Saturday, 16 February 2013
The Key of Sea
Here is a link to a website where you can find lots of interesting things happening...albums, journals and events all supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Have a look!
http://keyofsea.com.au/
Monday, 12 November 2012
Sasi
Sasi has a great sense of humour. He is cheeky though. We are constantly saying 'Nama vileh' which is Tamil for 'I don't believe you'. He comes up with the wildest stories too. Sasi said he would give me a story when he gets out of detention. He used to be a school teacher and is very smart. He can sew too. I laughed one day when he came into the visitor centre wearing quite a comfortable pair of pants that were similar to fishermans pants. I only laughed because he told me he made the pants from his old bed sheets and I joked that he must have rolled out of bed with the sheets twisted around as pants to give him the idea. Don't get me wrong, the pants were quite good.
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