Refugees in on/off shore detention
Recent news events with Novak Djokovic have been a sobering reminder of the plight of many refugees caught in the our inhumane immigration system, including in the Park Hotel. Keep the conversation going!!
Those who were on Manus Island and now in Port Moresby have, from 1 Jan 2022, been formally handed over by Australia to PNG authorities, and now face an even more uncertain future. Recently a request has been made to the PNG Government and the NZ High Commission in Port Moresby that the PNG and NZ governments enter into discussion to see them offered welcome to NZ.
- It has been over 8.5 years since they were taken by force to PNG.
- 8.5 years of trauma, dehumanisation and rejection.
- Some hope to go to Canada but the majority are without any prospects for safety and welcome.
- NZ has an ongoing offer to take 150 people each year. NZ could make such a huge difference for these people, and end the ongoing harm.
- The need to also include those who have not yet been accepted as refugees – for many this is simply because they had initially refused to participate in a process they saw no prospects in, and then being rejected without their case being considered.
- The need to include family for those who have found partners in PNG.
- There are around 100, with maybe another 20-30 family members, including children.
- The need is urgent, with each day compounding the harm and hopelessness.
Other links
‘I have no future yet’: Call to move ex-detainees onto permanent visas
Asylum seekers beg Australians: ‘Don’t forget us when Djokovic leaves’
PM accused of ‘outright lie’ after claiming detainees in Melbourne hotel are not refugees
Latest letter writing campaigns (in partnership with the Synod of Victoria & Tasmania) – one is about increasing our humanitarian intake of refugees, and the other about sharing vaccines and vaccine knowledge.