The Australian Democrats are urging Australians to have compassion for refugees on World Refugee Day, regardless of how they arrive to the country.
Comments earlier this week by the Minister for Immigration, Chris Evans, that other countries need to do more to help refugees, reflects the detachment and absence of compassion in the Australian discourse towards refugees.
Australian Democrats National President, Julia Melland, said today "The question should never be one of 'What are other countries doing?', but 'What can we do?'."
While much has been done to dismantle the draconian policies of the Howard Government, mandatory detention is still enforced, and the Australian Democrats are concerned that the anti-asylum seeker rhetoric continues.
"With Kevin Rudd recently reverting to rhetoric that sounds exactly like John Howard in his condemnation of the 'scum of the earth' people smugglers and their cargo, it is really easy to forget that the cargo are real people. They are fleeing very real war and persecution, and they need our compassion regardless of what desperate measures they took to get here, or what any other country is doing," Ms Melland said.
Ms Melland joined UNHCR's call for people to remember that refugees are real people with real needs. "We are compelled, legally and morally, to have compassion for refugees and offer them safe haven. We can do it, and we must do it."
The Australian Democrats are currently rebuilding the party and intend to continue their strong 30 year history of advocating for refugees and asylum seekers.
Contact:
Julia Melland
President, Australian Democrats
Julia.melland@democrats.org.au
Tel 0431 357 585
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