LOCAL Christian leaders are camped inside and on the outside of Liberal Senator Zed Seselja’s Bunda Street office seeking an answer to when the 789 children and their families in immigration detention will be released? The group is peacefully praying, and refusing to leave, until they have an answer to their question.
“The basic tenant of the gospels is that we treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves” says Sister Jane Keogh a 70 year old Catholic nun from North Canberra who is participating in the vigil.
“No Australians would agree to their children and grandchildren being subjected to long term stress and trauma in order to teach vulnerable people not to come to Australia asking for help.”
The group is part of the ‘Love Makes a Way’ movement, which has seen over 100 religious leaders risk arrest over peaceful actions bearing witness to the plight of children in detention. The movement seeks an end to Australia’s inhumane asylum seeker policies through prayer and nonviolent love in action. Vigils have been held across the country, from Perth to Launceston, from the offices of Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison to Bill Shorten and Richard Marles. This is the 13th action, and the first in the ACT.
“We are prepared to stay here until we get an answer” says the Rev Roberta Hamilton, an Anglican Priest with the Parish of South Tuggeranong. “When will the 789 children and their families be released from detention?”
The group comes from different Christian denominations and traditions.
Senator Seselja’s office has promised to make a statement shortly.
The group has a facebook page for those who are interested.
UPDATE: Zed had this to say in response:
I share the goal of getting children out of detention and the government is working towards this goal.
Under the current government, the number of children on Christmas Island has been dramatically reduced by 75 per cent, and there has been an almost 50 per cent reduction across all centres due to our successful border protection policies.
A total of more than 8,000 children arrived on illegal boats under the previous government. In July 2013 there were almost 2,000 children in immigration detention due to Labor’s failed policies. As of August this year, this number has been reduced to 855. Legislation is currently before the parliament that will allow us to get the remaining children out of detention in Australia. We need the support of the other political parties for this to pass.
UPDATE 16:30 November 10: The protestors have in turn responded to Zed’s statement.
We are pleased to see Senator Seselja put in writing his concern to have all children released from immigration detention. This is an important basis for a constructive dialogue about asylum seekers.
The portrayal of legislation currently before the parliament as protective of children is misleading. The legislation has been roundly condemned by refugee law and human rights experts. It was described by a former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser as “the perverse creation of a Government prepared to tear up the rule of law for its own political ends.” It was found to violate basic human rights by a bipartisan parliamentary committee.
It does not offer permanent protection to refugees. It does not cover children in Nauru.
Senator Seselja’s answer is a disappointing attempt to spin cruelty as compassion. We hope that he listens carefully to the wide ranging criticisms of the legislation, which does not offer real protection to vulnerable children, and vote against it when it comes before the Senate.
Until we receive a commitment as to when all children and their families will be released from detention and given permanent protection, we will remain in prayer inside his office.
We are committed to staying here as long as it takes, until Love Makes a Way.
Additionally the facebook page shows the religious leaders inside Zed’s office and having a chat with police.
“CityNews” has heard from the protestors that they expect the police to attempt to evict them at 5pm.
UPDATE 17:15, November 10: No sign of police at 5pm and the protestors have their sleeping bags set to stay for a long time.
UPDATE 17:15: No sign of police at @ZedSeselja office; protesters have their sleeping bags set to stay for a long time. #LoveMakesAWay
— Justin Whelan (@juswhe) November 10, 2014
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