Several events are coming up which are not RAC events, but are of interest to refugee supporters and deserve our support.
Rally in support of the Hazaras in Pakistan
The Hazaras originally come from Afghanistan, but due to war, oppression and social breakdown, thousands now live in neighbouring Pakistan. But their life is not always better there.
For example, recently, in the space of 2 weeks, there have been 2 attacks on Hazara people living in the western provinces of Pakistan. Responsibility for these attacks was claimed by an extremist group openly alligned with the Taliban, which states that the Hazaras should be exterminated. 200 Hazaras are dead and 500 are injured as a result. It is reported that some Pakistani hospitals refused to treat injured Hazaras. The Pakistani government has refused to stop these outrages. Many international commentators believe that the Pakistani government is supporting and funding the Taliban and their allies.
Many of the people fleeing from this outrageous situation end up being punished by Australia’s deliberately cruel deterrence regime for asylum seekers.
The Hazara community in Brisbane is organising a rally to awaken Australians to what is happening, to demand that the Pakistani government cease colluding with the persecutors of Hazaras and to ask Australia to help to pressure Pakistan to act decently. They also wish to ask Australia to act decently towards those fleeing from this appalling situation, instead of locking them up in hellish conditions at Nauru and Manus Island.
When: 2pm, Monday, 25th February.
Where: King George Square, top of Queen St Mall.
Organised by: Members of Brisbane’s Hazara community.
Further info: Hassan Ghulam, 0423 907 416.
All refugee supporters who are able to come should make an effort to get there to show their support.
Film Screening: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
A powerful documentary about the true situation of asylum seekers stranded in Indonesia. Once you see this you will never condemn asylum seekers for hiring a people smuggler, ever again.
When: 7pm, Thursday, 28th February.
Where: McElligot Theatre, St Laurence’s College, 82 Stephens Rd, South Brisbane.
Admission: Free.
Rally for justice: for the Arab Ahwazi minority of Iran.
Members of the Ahwazi community in Brisbane are organising a rally in the city to alert us to their concerns. In Iran they are suffering great oppression from the Iranian government. Those that find their way to Australia suffer oppression from our detention regime for asylum seekers.
When: 12.30pm, Saturday 2nd March
Where: Brisbane Square, the city.
Further info: Ali, 0402 687 540
©2013 Refugee Action Collective, QLD | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Note the change of venue – When: 2pm, Monday, 25th February.
Where: King George Square, top of Queen St Mall.
Organised by: Members of Brisbane’s Hazara community.
Further info: Hassan Ghulam, 0423 907 416.