Defend Demands of Protesting Asylum Seekers in Australia

Since 16 January 2002 hundreds of asylum seekers in Woomera have initiated a hunger strike and protest against the Australian government's policy of detention and its freeze on asylum applications of Afghans; several have sewn their lips together or attempted to commit suicide. Other asylum seekers at various detention centres have also begun hunger strikes and protests in support of the legitimate demands of the Woomera detainees. The International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) has received reports from asylum seekers in Curtin detention centre that over 140 began demonstrating against their conditions today. Slogans being shouted by asylum seekers demanding their rights were heard over the phone while speaking to a detainee. Detainees are denied access to Hambastegi, IFIR's Persian paper; sections of newspapers that report the escalating protests are cut out before being given to asylum seekers in order to keep them in the dark about others protests. Yesterday, fifteen unaccompanied minors inside Woomera threatened to commit suicide together. Hundreds of people have also been protesting at various detention centres demanding the release of all detainees. Demonstrators stormed a Federal office building in Melbourne on 24 January and the IFIR-Australia Branch organised a 24-hour long sit-in on 26 January in defence of their demands. Media gathered in Woomera are kept about 500 yards from the camp and are not allowed to speak to the asylum seekers.

The International Federation of Iranian Refugees condemns the Australian government's anti-asylum policies and laws and holds the Australian government directly responsible for the acts of despair committed by asylum seekers in various concentration camp-like centres. IFIR calls on groups and individuals to intervene and demand the following:

1. The Australian government must immediately address the legitimate demands of the protesting asylum seekers, including assessing all Afghan asylum claims.

2. All detention centres must be shut down and the women, men and children imprisoned in them resettled in various communities with decent housing and lodging arrangements.

3. The Australian government must recognise the right to asylum of protesting and other asylum seekers.

Until now, the escalating protests have forced the government to back down to an extent. Neville Roach, a senior adviser to the Australian government quit over the treatment of asylum seekers. Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock has responded to the protests by agreeing to provide asylum seekers with more information about their status. He agreed to the move after the independent detention advisory committee spent 11 hours with Woomera detainees on Wednesday 23 January.

This is not enough. Our intervention can and must end acts of despair and self-mutilation and raise a global banner of positive resistance against the Australian government. Pressure must be kept on the Australian government until the protesting asylum seekers gain their legitimate demands.

* Sample Letter of Protest

Philip Ruddock
Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Fax: (02) 6273 4144
Email:  philip.ruddock.mp@aph.gov.au or via website: www.minister.immi.gov.au/general/contacts.htm

Julia Gillard
Shadow Minister for Population & Immigration
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Fax: (02) 6277 8457
Email:  julia.gillard.mp@aph.gov.au

I / My Organisation condemn(s) the Australian government's violations of asylum rights and call on the government to:
1. Immediately address the legitimate demands of the protesting asylum seekers, including assessing all Afghan asylum claims.
2. Shut down all detention centres and house the women, men and children imprisoned in them in various communities with decent housing and lodging arrangements.
3. Recognise the right to asylum of protesting and other asylum seekers.

Signed
Name
Organisation (if any)
Date

Cc:  ifir@ukonline.co.uk