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Take politics out of asylum hype: bishop
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| 1 August, 2010 |
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| PROTEST: Graffitti makes a protest against
refugee policy. |
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Bishop Joseph Grech, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference delegate for refugee and migrant issues, has appealed to the major parties to keep politics out of the asylum debate – for the sake of the “traumatised”.
Bishop Grech called on the parties to work together to help these people who “find themselves in these very unfortunate situations”.
“My hope is that they can come together and talk in a calm and rational manner, devoid of any unhelpful rhetoric to score political points,” he said.
“There has been a lot of talk, a lot of hype and branding of these people and I think it’s very important to have a calm and sensible debate on this issue. Many of these people are coming from very traumatic situations. To speak about them as the cause of fear in our country, I don’t think that’s justified.”
He added: “When they come here we need to treat them humanly. We need to respect their rights and dignity and this is in accordance to the international obligations that we have signed as a country. Especially if they have been identified as genuine refugees, then there are certain obligations our country needs to respect.”
At the recent National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) triennial Forum, the Churches affirmed the Federal Government’s right and responsibility to ensure legitimate border protection, but also expressed grave concern over the treatment of asylum seekers.
Rev Tara Curlewis, the council’s general secretary, said: “It is time that both political parties stop misleading our community by painting pictures of asylum seekers as people to be feared. Asylum seekers are vulnerable, often traumatised people fleeing conflict and persecution. As a safe and secure country we must treat asylum seekers with compassion rather than placing them in detention in enforced limbo.
“Australia’s Churches are calling for the humane treatment of asylum seekers, the expeditious processing of their protection claims and a new bipartisan commitment to accommodate asylum seekers within Australia while claims are assessed.”
She added: “Australian Churches have repeatedly stated strong opposition to Government approaches that transfer processing from Australian territory.
“Past experiences processing asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island have demonstrated the devastating effects such policies can have on people’s lives, such as extended separation from families and serious mental health problems.
“These methods have caused increased traumatisation, difficulty integrating into community life and problems finding jobs once released into Australian communities. It is past time for a bipartisan approach which recognises the spirit of generosity and hospitality that has made Australia the country it is today.”
Bishop Grech called on the parties to work together to help these people who “find themselves in these very unfortunate situations”.
“My hope is that they can come together and talk in a calm and rational manner, devoid of any unhelpful rhetoric to score political points,” he said.
“There has been a lot of talk, a lot of hype and branding of these people and I think it’s very important to have a calm and sensible debate on this issue. Many of these people are coming from very traumatic situations. To speak about them as the cause of fear in our country, I don’t think that’s justified.”
He added: “When they come here we need to treat them humanly. We need to respect their rights and dignity and this is in accordance to the international obligations that we have signed as a country. Especially if they have been identified as genuine refugees, then there are certain obligations our country needs to respect.”
At the recent National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) triennial Forum, the Churches affirmed the Federal Government’s right and responsibility to ensure legitimate border protection, but also expressed grave concern over the treatment of asylum seekers.
Rev Tara Curlewis, the council’s general secretary, said: “It is time that both political parties stop misleading our community by painting pictures of asylum seekers as people to be feared. Asylum seekers are vulnerable, often traumatised people fleeing conflict and persecution. As a safe and secure country we must treat asylum seekers with compassion rather than placing them in detention in enforced limbo.
“Australia’s Churches are calling for the humane treatment of asylum seekers, the expeditious processing of their protection claims and a new bipartisan commitment to accommodate asylum seekers within Australia while claims are assessed.”
She added: “Australian Churches have repeatedly stated strong opposition to Government approaches that transfer processing from Australian territory.
“Past experiences processing asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island have demonstrated the devastating effects such policies can have on people’s lives, such as extended separation from families and serious mental health problems.
“These methods have caused increased traumatisation, difficulty integrating into community life and problems finding jobs once released into Australian communities. It is past time for a bipartisan approach which recognises the spirit of generosity and hospitality that has made Australia the country it is today.”
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