Dear refugee supporters,
This is to inform you of our public forum which will review and analyse the rhetoric surrounding “people smuggling”. We are all influenced by what the media and politicians say about this, and RAC wants to provide an opportunity to rethink the whole business. Please come along yourselves, and invite your staff, volunteers, students, and where appropriate, your clients. Please help us spread the message about this event by relaying it through your own networks.
Speakers include:
Mark Plunkett, Qld barrister representing Indonesian fishermen, including juveniles, in people smuggling cases.
Ian Rintoul, prominent refugee rights campaigner, Refugee Action Coalition, NSW.
When: 3pm, Saturday 3rd March.
Where: Kurilpa Hall, 174 Boundary St, West End.
Getting there: Street parking; 199 bus from Adelaide St, City.
Further info: Paul, paul , ph.3392 3843.
The details of the forum are below. Also find attached a copy of our flier, which you may spread around electronically or else print out.
We hope to see at least some of you on the day. Best wishes.
Paul McKinnon
Refugee Action Collective, Qld
paul
Ph. 3392 3843
(Report received by WBT 29/02/2012 3:16 PM)
There are many reports of the murder by beating of (a) 16 year old Hazara boy at Pontianak Immigration Detention Centre in Indonesia but so far no official confirmation.
Pontianak is a feared place – there are no communications allowed in or out.
Just yesterday calls were made by Hazaras in another detention centre who were asking not to be sent to Pontianak and who were beaten in an effort to force them.
This was not successful and the men have not yet been moved. They told me that the reason no one wanted to go was because there is possibility of communication from Pontianak, no contact with family.
We are still trying to find out if the report of the beating and murder of this boy is true.
***
(Later report received by WBT 29/02/2012 3:55 PM)
Sadly it is confirmed that an asylum seeker has died after an attempted escape from Pontianak Detention centre today but no details as to age and Identity as yet available.
—
Pamela Curr
Campaign Coordinator
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
12 Batman st West Melbourne 3003
ph 03 9326 6066 / 0417517075
“NO ONE CHOOSES TO BE AN ASYLUM SEEKER”