Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Nauru whistleblowers to speak out at Wellington protest

Nauru whistleblowers due to speak out at Wellington protest for refugees held in Australian offshore detention

Press release: Peace Action Wellington
For immediate release 24th August 2016

Peace Action Wellington and Changemakers Refugee Forum have called for a protest against Australia's treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. The demonstration will start at Parliament at 12.30 on the 25th August, followed by a march to the Australian High Commission. Speakers will include whistleblowers who have worked in the detention centre on Nauru.

With the release of the Nauru Files, abuse and inhumane conditions on Nauru are once again in the spotlight. The release of the files as well as news of deaths in Australia's offshore detention centres clearly demonstrate that mental health issues are rife within communities being held there against their will.

A former support worker on Nauru said "During my time in Nauru I attended the daily Mental Health briefing, where we were given the long list of asylum seekers who were on watch. The rest of my day would be following up with each of them, who were suffering the torment of indefinite detention in horrific conditions."

Refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru have been protesting for months. Australian activists and civil society are working to turn the tide of opinion and have called for global demonstrations in solidarity. Kiwis need to stand in solidarity, speak up and take action for asylum seekers.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The end of August 2016 also marks 15 years since the 483 refugees rescued by the Tampa were refused by Australia and taken to Nauru, starting the 'Pacific Solution' and Australia's use of offshore detention to avoid taking in refugees. 150 of the Tampa refugees were eventually granted citizenship by New Zealand.

History repeats itself again as there is offer from the New Zealandgovernment to take 150 people from the centres, which Australia has so far refused to take up. It's time for the NZ government, as Australia's neighbour, to put pressure on them to end mandatory offshore detention policy and accept refugees, as required under international law. NZ accepts far fewer per capita refugees than Australia each year; we can and should do more.

Speakers will include:

- Former staff in the Nauru detention centre
- Nureddin Abdurahman, a Wellington Oromo Community member of a refugee background
- A speaker from Peace Action Wellington on the links between the military industrial complex and refugees
- Carsten Bockemuehl, Amnesty International NZ, who recently released a report on abuse & neglect of refugees on Nauru
- David Shearer, Labour MP with the shadow portfolio on Foreign Affairs who has spoken out about the NZ government's lack of action for offshore detainees
- Kelvin Davis, Labour MP who has visited Kiwis in detention on Christmas Island and has spoken out against offshore detention
- Marama Davidson, Green Party MP who supports refugees and asylum seekers
- Denise Roche, Green Party MP with the portfolio for immigration

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.