Jannah Library Of Understanding

Jannah Library Of Understanding The Human Spirit Will Not Be Silenced ~ Human Rights Cannot Be Ignored.

The JANNAH LIBRARY OF UNDERSTANDING http://www.library.sievxmemorial.org is a collection of letters, prose and poetry on local and global aspects of human rights in Australia by writers who could not tolerate injustice, cruelty or racism. Sometimes their words made a difference even though few found publication beyond the internet. Using the technology of this new millennium the power of the written word has been rediscovered and the greatest human rights movement in the history of Australia was formed and the commentary of these events must never be lost.

Like the message in the bottle, no political border could stop the story of SIEVX, Tampa, the Pacific Solution and Relex from crossing the sea to people who value justice and human life. The Stolen Generation cannot be denied, razor wire and isolation could not imprison the truth, the voices of SIEVX and others who have died, call to us from the sea.

At the dawn of this millennium Australians appeared to be on the brink of understanding that this was not a young country but a very old country which up to just a little more than 200 years ago had a vibrant people and a history of tolerance spanning 60,000 years. The word 'Eternity' was up in lights as a multicultural Australia welcomed people from all over the world to the Olympics. In the midday sun people clasped the hands of strangers becoming friends as they crossed bridges throughout the country in reconciliation. As 'SORRY' was written across the clear blue sky a compassionate and understanding future for a great country seemed assured.

One year later everything had changed. Australia, instead of stepping boldly and independently into the future, was lead backwards to revive the most repressive and cruel aspects of a colonial past. The voice of human rights, reconciliation and understanding was dismissed by the strident bullying voice of authoritarianism and all but silenced in the mainstream media and some of our finest writers went unpublished.

New writers found their voice and experienced writers found renewed passion. Undeterred and unsupported financially, without the backup of massive research facilities or skilled editors or the protection of a major publication, these writers put out high quality reports daily on what is really happening to human rights in Australia. At another time their by-lines would have reached readers throughout the country and beyond. Their compelling empathetic style would have guaranteed them a good living, probably a weekly column in a respected publication and their opinion would have been sought by current affairs programmes on television and radio.

The works represented in the JANNAH LIBRARY OF UNDERSTANDING show care and concern for what has been happening to Australia in recent years and through our history and report the human experiences of immigrant and indigenous Australians. Like all sections of JANNAH THE SIEVX MEMORIAL will only accept material submitted with the permission of the author, the original publication date and site acknowledged. The JANNAH LIBRARY OF UNDERSTANDING appreciates these writers, records their work and invites you to share their inspired, moving and sometimes satirical contribution to human rights. The library thanks them for their generous intellectual contribution and the copyright remains that of the author.

The Honourable Al Grassby AM is The patron of the JANNAH LIBRARY OF UNDERSTANDING is . Recognised as the father of Australian Multi-culturalism, Mr Grassby was awarded the United Nations Peace Medal in 1986. Web Design and Graphics are by Matt Hamon - Kate Wildermuth and Helen Tait are the Custodians of the JANNAH LIBRARY OF UNDERSTANDING.

Kate and Helen look forward to receiving the letters, prose and poems that you have written and/or published on the internet via email at:

library@sievxmemorial.org

Thank you for your humanity,

MARY DAGMAR DAVIES Founder and co-ordinator JANNAH THE SIEVX MEMORIAL founder@sievxmemorial.org