Don't Abandon Asylum Seekers
Kevin Rudd recently announced that Australia is turning its back on its global responsibilities for the sake of cheap political point-scoring.
Effective immediately, Australia will refuse to process or settle asylum seekers - even those found to be genuine refugees - who arrive by boat.
The Australian government has struck a deal with Papua New Guinea. Australia will pay a high sum for PNG to process and house the desperate men, women and children who arrive on our doorstep.
The real tragedy is this won't stop desperate people fleeing for their lives - it will simply work to make those lives more miserable.
Australia is perfectly placed to lead a fair, humane and effective regional approach to refugees. Instead, survivors of war, torture and persecution will be hidden from the Australian public.
If you believe that asylum seekers in Australia should be treated fairly and with compassion, now is the time to make your voice heard.
Dear Prime Minister Rudd,
I am writing to express my extreme disappointment at your recent announcement that Australia will no longer process or settle any asylum cases in which the asylum seeker arrived by boat.
This policy won't stop desperate people fleeing for their lives - it will simply make those lives more miserable.
[Your comments here]
I believe that asylum seekers in Australia should be treated fairly and with compassion. I join other Australians in demanding that no asylum seekers arriving by boat into Australian territory be sent to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement. Australia has an obligation under the Refugee Convention to assess claims for asylum regardless of the method by which the people who seek our protection reached our country.
I request that the Australian Government respect and comply with its obligations under the Refugee Convention and international law in its treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
