A Year 12 asylum seeker students from the Brisbane Detention Centre spoke on the radio about her plight on Monday.
Last night the centre was put into lockdown, none of the children or teens were allowed to go to school today, then early this morning 5 officers came to take her by force to the Darwin detention centre.
All that for one girl.
The detention centre staff say they didn’t even know it was happening. She only had 12 weeks of school left until graduation. A talented and well-liked student. She could not say goodbye to family, friends, or her teachers.
All Australians should ask themselves: Is this really how we are?
This is absolutely appalling!
The news of the year 12 student and asylum seeker being rudely ripped out of suburban Brisbane and sent all the way to Darwin without notice and with only 12 weeks of high school to complete is without a doubt, barbarous !
Is this what we’ve become in Australia?
The clear xenophobia behind these actions by faceless Australian officials really ramped up under John Howard and has accelerated under The current Liberal government.
I wouldn’t want to be an Australian politician going abroad (even on justifiable travel) right now. I’d be too ashamed.
We don’t see front line countries (with thousands of years cultural heritage) behaving in this manner.
Shame on you, Australian government and largely opposition!
“The Queensland Teachers’ Union is holding a rally at Brisbane’s Waterfront Place on Friday from 4.30pm to protest the removal of Shamsalipoor and other students from their studies in Brisbane to interstate detention centres.
“http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/11/asylum-seeker-married-to-an-australian-resident-faces-deportation-to-iran
I am a mature aged Law Student. I was telling my Lecturer that i heard someone higher up in the Bar urging Lawyers to become more aware & involved in what is happening in this country. Also being aware of what is being done in our name and not sit idly by. I said i could not remember his name. My lecturer told me tonight that it was Julian Burnside (You). I said that we have too many law students who are out of touch with what is going on and are concerned with the illusion of their careers. Even though there are bright students in my class, the level of naivity and lack of real-world knowledge is concerning. I wonder if people higher up like yourself could come & give some talks at different universities and let law students know that they are incumbent on having a higher humanitarian awareness and activism. Even though we have a separation of powers, our Judiciary cannot save us and there are continued attempts to oust their power. We are supposed to have a representative government, yet so many things have been done in our name, which we are ignorant of or are simply apathetic. People like you can be so inspirational and can change the tide eventually. Would it be possible for you to visit my class. I share your thinking 100%. I know that a person of your calibre would not have spare time, however I wish you could say a few words & spread some of your magic. It will be food for thought for all the law students.If the country is going to change for the better and progress in a balanced way, then it needs to start at the grass roots with budding lawyers. My class is full of mature aged students ranging from 21 to 59 years of age. I am a 44year old mother of two boys. Thank you for taking the time to read my message.
Yours sincerely
Sharni