Australians Overseas Are Calling For An International Day Of Protest Against Mandatory Detention
Supporters from 33 cities around the world are declaring a protest for March 29.
It’s been a couple of weeks since the UN decided Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers violated the convention against torture, and much to Tony Abbott’s distress, it weirdly seems like people haven’t forgotten about it.
This weekend has marked the first March in March protests for the year and there are currently thousands of pitchfork-wielding locals gathered outside the Sydney Town Hall to express their dissatisfaction with the Abbott government. And, while the protest isn’t exclusively focussed on the country’s treatment of asylum seekers — between coal seam gas, the forced closure of Indigenous communities, and that nightmarish data retention bill, protestors are pretty spoilt for choice — it’s definitely on the agenda.
Now, these feelings are being expressed around the world. A disparate group of Australians living and travelling abroad have released the following video calling for an international protest against Australia’s mandatory detention of asylum seekers.
Filmed in more than 30 cities across Europe, Asia, and America, the clip asks people to join them on Palm Sunday — the same date as the Australian-based Walk For Justice For Refugees — to make this issue known around the world.
“As Australian migrants overseas we have been welcomed in our current worldwide homes,” a spokesperson told New Matilda in a written statement. “We want to see the same welcome and freedom of movement afforded to us granted to those who arrive in Australia seeking asylum.”
“Australia likes to enjoy a sunny and benign international reputation. By telling a different story about Australia’s mistreatment of asylum seekers and refugees we are shifting this image of Australia and applying external pressure on the Australian Government to end indefinite mandatory detention.”
“We will do what we can to amplify the voices of those unlawfully detained and express our solidarity through creative, dispersed actions.”
After providing a link to their Facebook page in the video, the group is encouraging people to get in contact with their representatives in cities around the world or start up a new protest if they’re at a different location. They’ve also made an interactive world map listing the events which already exist.
This is something they’ve been doing for a few months now, but on a much smaller scale. Small sub-sections of the group have previously held vigils for those who’ve died in detention or been involved in hunger strikes, and they regularly stage protests at Australian embassies around the US and Europe.
If you’re interested in signing up or have some friends living overseas, you can read more or register your interest via the group’s tumblr.
After all, it’s probably about time people around the world stopped seeing us like this:
