Amanda Jennings (Your Say, 13th August) is right to draw our attention to
the terrible loss of life in Gaza and to link this utter failure of humanity to
the plight of refugees.
Readers might like to know that, following her visit to
Christmas Island in April, the Human Rights commissioner also reported that
“these children are actually identifying themselves by their numbers, not by
their names, which is shocking.”
Does that ring any bells?
A more recent report
by the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce had this to say about the Abbott
government’s treatment of unaccompanied children in detention: “This is state
sanctioned child abuse which the Taskforce believes will warrant a Royal
Commission”.
It would appear that, as a nation, we have learned nothing from our
past failures in relation to children’s wellbeing. We seem to be happy to
continue to look the other way.
It is surely time for us to stand up and tell this government that they do
not act in our name. I hope that many readers will turn out for the March in
August in Coffs Harbour on 31st August and support those of us advocating on
behalf of refugees.
We need together to send a clear message to this morally
bankrupt government that we expect them to act with integrity and humanity
towards those in need of our assistance.
Mike
No comments:
Post a Comment