"Free Them" - We mark the June 10 HREOC deadline
On Thursday June 10 2004 we marked the passing of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's deadline for children and their parents to be released from immigration detention. The government has not released them, and has reaffirmed its policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers, including children.
Read the Government's
Response to HREOC Report. The Government has confirmed that this
press release IS its response to the HREOC report - a more detailed
response will not be forthcoming.
Happy Birthday Sweetheart
Today we marked the birthday of Christina, but we didn't have candles or a cake. We probably should have as it was her twelfth birthday, but we didn't. We didn't because it was a sad occasion. Read story...
In Sydney, we rallied at Town Hall and tolled the bells for the children who are still locked up. In Melbourne, 162 pairs of childrens' shoes were placed on the footpath outside the DIMIA office.
A vigil was held in Port Macquarie, bells rang out in Bega and Lismore from Toowoomba's St Patrick's Cathedral and Port Augusta's All Saints. In front of Town Hall in Sydney, children were caged behind the wire.
Young children to lock up? Most of the children on Nauru are under 12 years of age.
Andrew Denton, host of Enough Rope, was our Master of Ceremonies while we heard from the eminent Australians below.
Dr Louise Newman, Child Psychiatrist, Director of the NSW Institute of Psychiatry.
Ms Tanya Plibersek MP, federal Member for Sydney, Australian Labor Party.
Mr Peter King MP, Federal Member for Wentworth, Liberal Party.
Father Frank Brennan, Director, Uniya Jesuit Social Justice Centre.
Senator Kerry Nettle, Senator for NSW, Australian Greens Party.
Senator Andrew Bartlett, Leader, Australian Democrats Party.
Mr John Valder, ex-President of the Liberal Party.
Mr Reza Sayed, Afghan refugee, Year 11 student, Holroyd High School.
Ms Nooria Wazefadost, Afghan refugee, Year 12 student, Holroyd High School, and her younger sister, Najeeba, also a student at Holroyd.
Sheikh Jehad Ismail, Imam of Al-emaan Australian Muslim community, Arncliffe.
Rabbi Raymond Apple, Senior Rabbi at Great Synagogue.
Reverend Dr Dean Drayton, President of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Bishop David Cremin, Bishop, Roman Catholic Church.
The bells tolled and the children were released.
Speeches
Dr. Louise Newman, Alliance of Health Professionals for Asylum Seekers.
Download: DrLouiseNewman2004-06-10.doc
All nations can be judged according to the way they treat and protect children and the vulnerable. Today, our leaders see fit to continue the arbitrary and indefinite detention of children - 162 children. These children are detained in circumstances which produce harm and suffering and the risk of long term psychological scars. This is a systematic conscious abuse of children that denies fundamental human rights, this is Government policy at its worst, it is morally indefensible and punishes children for the perceived wrongs of their parents, and Government is prepared to use children as collateral damage in the name of a greater good- so called border protection. The suffering of children can never be justified.
Mr Peter King MP, Federal Member for Wentworth, Liberal Party.
Download: PeterKing2004-06-10.doc
As an elected representative, I have dealt with many claims for refugee status including from children in detention, on a case by case basis, as have many others here today. But like all of you, I recognise that we need to find a better way. It is not acceptable to deny innocent children their childhood in any cause.
Father Frank Brennan SJ, Associate Director Uniya - Jesuit Social Justice Centre.
Download: FrFrank BrennanSJ.doc
The 162 pairs of shoes remind us why we are here to walk the talk. We are here for the children who cannot be with us, because they are behind the razor wire. These empty shoes force all of us to ask two questions:
Why would you want to put children behind razor wire?
Why would you want to break up families, separating children from their parents? ...
Senator Kerry Nettle, Senator for NSW Australian Greens Party
Download:SenatorKerryNettle.doc
In the lead-up to the last federal election, former Minister Reith released photos that he claimed were of asylum seekers throwing their children overboard. At the same time many Australians were appalled by the story of Mr Alzalimi, whose five-, seven- and nine-year-old daughters drowned at sea whilst trying to reach their father in Australia.
Mr Reza Sayed, Afghan refugee, Year 11 student, Holroyd High School.
Download: RezaSayed2004-06-10.doc
All Governments such as Australia who have signed the convention, must make sure that asylum seekers are treated with dignity and respect when they arrive.
Prayers
Sheikh Jehad Ismail, Imam of Al-emaan Australian Muslim community, Arncliffe.
Download:DuaForChildrenInDetentionCentres.doc
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Let our children have the opportunity to learn from our errors and work to establish a safer, more peaceful and just world for All.
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Guide our leaders to make wise and fair decisions.
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Protect us from the kind of hate and intolerance symbolized by the detention of innocent, harmless, & oppressed children.
Rabbi Raymond Apple, Senior Rabbi at Great Synagogue.
Download:PRAYERFORDETAINEECHILDREN.doc
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God who created children,
We pray to You for the children who yearn to be free.
The Bible tells us, "Sin not against the child" (Gen. 42:22).
We pray, keep governments and nations from sinning against children. ...
Rev Dr Dean Drayton, President of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Download: RevDeanDrayton2004-06-10.doc
- Eternal God, we pray for all children in detention. We admit that as a nation we have averted our eyes, and put our fingers in our ears rather than see and hear the hurt that we have inflicted upon these children.
- As the Bells toll we know they toll for us as a nation which has let our fear of people smugglers sacrifice those who seek asylum on the altar of our safety.
Bishop David Cremin, Bishop, Roman Catholic Church.
Download:PrayerByBishopDavidCremin.doc
- Isaiah in 49:15 says, “Can a mother forget her baby and have no
compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will
never forget you”. God does not compare himself to a proud father
but rather a nursing mother. He says even IF a mother could forget her
child (which is highly unlikely), He will NEVER forget his children in
their needs.
Lord, as we think of the children in detention we too WEEP WITH RACHEL. We pray with Jesus who said “Let the children come to me” which is like saying “Liberate the children, SET THEM FREE”.
Signing the "Free Them" books
Afterwards people queued for over half an hour to sign our "Free Them" books. These books are an opportunity for us all to put our feelings about the detention of children on the record, and support HREOC's recommendations, through the June 10 Declaration. These books will become part of Australia's national archives.
The "Free Them" books will be available at ChilOut events for signing while we continue our campaign for the release of children and their families from immigration detention.
