THE ALARM BELLS ARE RINGING… Please read article below and consider aresponse.
Please Consider writing a hard copy letter to the new Minister Chris Bowen – just one page- it does not need to be extensive – just remind him that we have seen what detention does to people and we want this government to stop it.
How
– End Mandatory Detention
-Follow their own promises made in the former Ministers – while this clings to the brutal mandatory detention policy – there were clauses to mitigate in the “New Values ” statement
- Detention that is indefinite or otherwise arbitrary is not acceptable and the length and conditions of detention, including the appropriateness of both the accommodation and the services provided, would be subject to regular review.
- Detention in immigration detention centres is only to be used as a last resort and for the shortest practicable time.
- see the rest of the promises here http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/speeches/2008/ce080729.htm
These were promises made but not put into legislation to ensure that they were carried out. As a consequence we now see people in detention for 12 months and even more chilling hundreds of teenagers without parents locked up and in severe mental distress.
Self-harm rates increase fourfold
Yuko Narushima
October 4, 2010
SELF-MUTILATION in Australia’s detention centres is soaring with recorded cases quadrupling in the past year and mental health experts bracing for worse to come as children begin cutting themselves.
Figures obtained by The Age show there were 39 instances of ”actual self harm” in the year to June 30, up from 10 the year before. And another 25 detainees have wilfully hurt themselves in the three months since. Read on … http://www.theage.com.au/national/selfharm-rates-increase-fourfold-20101003-162r8.html
Contact Minister Chris Bowen
Electorate Office
115 The Crescent
Fairfield NSW 2165
Australia
Office hours: 9am-4:30pm
PO Box 802
Fairfield NSW 1860
Australia
Facsimile: 02 9724 6115