To:
shayne.neumann.mp@aph.gov.au
Sent:
Thu, 04
May 2017 12:23:30 +0800
Subject:
Offshore
detention centres
Dear Mr
Neumann
I am
writing to express my dismay and deep concern at the continuing detention of
refugees and asylum seekers on the offshore detention centres in Nauru and
Manus Island.
These
people have done nothing wrong. They have simply exercised their legal right to
seek asylum in Australia to escape the horrors of war, persecution and torture
in their home countries.
Yet they
have now been held for more than 4 years in these detention centres where there
are continuing documented cases of physical and sexual abuse and where many of
the detainees are experiencing depression and other severe mental health issues
.
I have
been a Labor party voter all my life up until the last Federal election. I have
always thought of the Labor party as the party that stands up for disadvantaged
people and has a strong commitment to human rights. Apparently this is no
longer the case. Like many other previous Labor party voters, I can no longer
support a party that offers bi-partisan
support to the Government's continuing cruel and inhumane treatment of refugees
and asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru.
What will
happen to the detainees who are not part of the people swap deal with the USA
whenever that might happen? It is simply nonsense to suggest these people could
be settled permanently in PNG or Nauru where there are no housing, no jobs, no
opportunities and hostile local communities.
The only
sensible and humane solution is for these people to be processed in
Australia and, if found to be legitimate
refugees, then to be resettled in Australia.
If the
Labor party can't support this for
purely political reasons then surely you should advocate strongly for immediate
closure of the offshore detention centres and the people brought to Australia
until such time as they can be safely resettled in other suitable countries.
Regards
Paul
Bartholomew
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