As Australians get ready to relax and enjoy the big Christmas slow-down, people are suffering terribly on Manus.
People we sent there by force.
People who have committed no offence, and were just looking for a safe place to live.
We celebrate the season of “peace and goodwill to all men”, and they suffer, kept out of sight by a government too ashamed to let us know what it is doing in our name.
Here is a recent report from a friend of mine:
A man was transferred from Manus to Brisbane several days ago. Afghani… He called his family who confirmed to his friend on Manus that he is indeed there. … Working overtime to locate him, but they now don’t register [people] as an official patient for a few days to prevent us [learning of their suffering]
Influenza has broken out on Manus. Disaster. The men are already too weak. There will be a loss of life without added nutrition to their diet immediately. …
The guys on Manus with ‘double ticks’ (positive refugee and security assessments) are now denied access to the canteen in order to force them to sign for settlement. That means no extra food, no cigarettes, and the worst, no phone credit. Interpersonal relationships are breaking down in the compounds due to stress and mental health issues, so many of the guys will be unable to even contact us via a friend for a phone credit top up.
They dropping like flies physically and mentally. I’m seeing them gradually ceasing communication. Their minds are shattered. They stop writing daily…then just send flower pictures (Persian cultural thing)… then go quiet. And then nothing.
I hope there are just a few genuine Christians in Federal Parliament whose conscience will force them to take a stand against what we are doing. So far as I can see, those who proclaim their Christianity loudest (Morrison, Abbott..,) are simply hypocrites who care nothing for the message of Christianity or the spirit of Christmas.
Happy Christmas.
And ppl in Australia condone & support this cruel treatment why?Simple,they are bigoted racists born out of fear,ignorance & hatred strongly backed by this government,Ian
@ Ian Graves, that is a generalisation of Australians sir, if a genuine poll was taken today with persons being able to see what exactly was happening they would be appalled. Heres a thought how about all the murderers, rapisists etc currently living it up in jail forgoe their usual xmas feast this year and it goes to all the persons on Manus and similar centres round Aus, additinally all the fat superficial Politicians have what Manus etc have for Xmas.
Julian, that is so disgusting and shameful I’m almost speechless, except to say I am ashamed of my country.
Keep up the good work, raising public awareness.
Morrison, Abbott give Christians a bad name… but irrespective of faith, surely there are a just a few genuine humans in Federal Parliament who will address this issue
Unbelievable, to think of all the work Julian Burnside and so many others are doing and always met with a blank. I and my grand daughter have sent letters and no reply.
Now we are welcoming refugees from Syria which is great, but why not those in Manus first.
What should I be doing to help change this?
keep spreading this information as far as you can. Julian said recently at a public function I attended that the law cannot change government policies on asylum seeker and refugees and the government and civil service will not be shamed. The only solution is to vote for politicians such as the Greens. With more Greens primary votes Labor and Liberal parties will get a strong message that their policies are unacceptable. Also more funding will go to the Greens as political parties are paid by the Election Funding Authority for primary votes they receive. With more Greens in parliament the balance of power will shift.
why aren’t they given free phones ? what about international phone cards and use land lines ?
mobile is a scam. topping them up won’t do much. International phone cards would make a difference. How could I send them phone cards ?
I could send a box of bloody phone cards to them if I know how.
This is so shameful! We need to do something!
I don’t give an airborne act of intercourse what religious persuasions our pollies have – it is of no consequence.
The question is, “Where are the good pollies?” That is all that matters.
How many International conventions are we breaking? We care but onky for people we either like or who a like us. Withe the exception of the Aboriginal nations we were all originally migrants or seekers after a better way of life. We need an open, fair and transparent policy and process – this practice is corroding our soul. To have this policy change we need to provide a clear practcal alternative. Thanks for the information
And the children will not be ‘allowed’out as another Christmas comes & goes- so sad to hear of their suffering,these innocent people deprived of basic needs in Australia,so hard to believe our Gov continues this abhorrent policy.
Thank you for giving this information, though it is heartbreaking to read. The refugees feel hopeless and so do caring Australians. We send Christmas gifts to the children and are told not to include skipping ropes in case they try to hang themselves. My wish for 2016 is that Nauru and Manus will be closed and the refugees our government has treated so appallingly will be given asylum in Australia.