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Open letter from mother of Australian born baby-who is to be deported to Nauru – 18/12/2014

25 detained babies born in Australia-and their families (Making up 44 children) –are to be deported to the Nauru camp as per the recent passing of the Migration Bill by the Australian Senate.

OPEN LETTER:

What is our crime?

What have we done to be punished like this?

We know we came by “illegal” way’ but then we didn’t’t have any choice. If I could have stayed in my country I would never have left my family. I left my country for safety and thought I could make my family safe later.

I came by boat but my child did not. She was born in this country and every child deserves to be protected by the country she or he is born in.

I want to be able to go back but I cannot take my child to that terrible life.

Some people say to me that it is luck that has meant some people were able to stay on Christmas Island and we sent to Nauru. I don’t believe in luck. I just believe in justice.

We are human beings and we deserve a safe life like other human beings.

When I came to this country immigration sent me and others to Nauru. But now I am in this country because there is no medical care for people in Nauru. The Minister said that people who came after the 19th of July will never come to Australia but I am here and my baby was born here.

Why do we have to suffer like this?

Sometimes death is better than life.

I only live for this child here.

What do we have to pay for this painful life we live every day, not knowing what will happen to us and our children?

This country has made me more afraid even than the sea. Every minute I am scared. Believe me, I have never been scared like this even in the sea. If I only had a country to go back to I would have gone.

When they knocked on my door at Christmas Island at 5am and threw a garbage bag in and told me to pack I asked them, ‘where are you taking me?’ No-one would answer me. Then when we were all put in the one room and searched and waiting until 6pm that day finally they said ‘you are going to Nauru’. I said: ‘why are you taking me to Nauru? I am pregnant.’ No-one answered me. When they forced us in the bus to go to the airport we had to walk into the airport between 2 lines of security officers both sides of us. Did they think we would escape? Where would we run?

What was our crime?

It was 9 hour flight to Nauru, most of us did not eat for 2 days. There was 2 of us asylum seekers and 1 security guard in each of the rows of 3 seats.

I didn’t’t cry in the sea but I cried when they took me to Nauru.

When we reached there, you can’t imagine the heat. You can’t imagine the tents. I was sick all the time. I was dizzy all the time. Many people were sick. You can’t imagine the heat. You can’t imagine not having enough water. You can’t imagine that when you need a nappy or some food for your child or anything at all you have to ask an officer, you have to line up, it is so hot. We can’t do anything for ourselves. Not shower, not wash the babies clothes.

You can’t imagine.

I grew up in a Refugee Camp but I have never seen it like that one.

Now each night I am waiting for them to knock on my door and throw in the bag to pack.

I am so scared.

What is our crime?

‘L’.

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RISE Exclusive media release-Migration Bill/TPVs - 05/12/2014

RISE : Refugees, Survivors and Ex-detainees, condemns the passing of the Australian Liberal/National coalition government's migration and maritime powers legislation amendment bill (resolving the asylum legacy caseload) 2014 against refugees arriving by boat, passed by the Senate yesterday.

Not only does it concern us that the bill gives the Immigration Minister Scott Morrison more powers than any other Australian minister in government, but we are also concerned about the excessive secrecy and non-transparency of these discretionary powers over one of the most oppressed and persecuted communities.

Even before the current bill was introduced, a number of refugee boats have gone missing or been pushed backed by the government and involuntary mass deportations to danger have occurred. The new legislative powers are an open invitation to Scott Morrison by the Australian Senate to treat asylum seekers coming by boats even more inhumanely. The xenophobic, anti-humanitarian legacy, of John Howard who said, ''We will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come'' is perfected in this bill.

Ramesh Fernandez, CEO and founder of RISE, ex-detainee and former Temporary protection visa (TPV) holder said:

“After I was released from indefinite, administrative detention, I was on TPVs for three years, constantly under surveillance, unable to do further study, not allowed to travel and see my family, and uncertain of my future. This was added trauma inflicted on my life and the lives of other asylum seekers by the government, and many of us have still not healed from this process yet.

When the TPV was ceased I was again required to go through the ordeal of another interview to apply for permanent residence. It felt like undergoing torture once again or I will call it the ‘cycle of oppression’, forcing me to go back to square one, where I left off.

Now, I can see that even greater trauma and uncertainty will be inflicted on my community, with the current bill not just re-introducing TPVs but actually removing legal protection from deportation to danger”

There are 50 million displaced refugees around the world. Many are languishing without proper protection in interim camps. Australia’s discriminatory, human rights violating “offshore” processing system for asylum seekers who arrive by boat adds tally to the interim camps and keeps refugees in isolation. Deterrence measures may lower the number of asylum seekers in Australia, but it is not a just and humanitarian solution for people trying to cross borders by boat, or any other form of transport, desperately seeking a place where they can be safe.

We urgently request the public to resist Australia’s xenophobic government policies by demanding greater transparency, fairness and humanity in the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees who are human beings seeking protection from persecution and harm - not “cases” or “caseloads” to be “processed”.

To lobby for international action, please email your concerns :

UNHCR Geneva http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4a324fcc6.html

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: [email protected], [email protected]

UN New York http://www.un.org/en/contactus/

For our international supporters - please contact the Australian embassy

Press release: West Papua '19 days of freedom' : 30/11/2014

On the 1st December 1961 the New Guinea Raad Council – West Papuan parliament under Dutch colonial rule – raised the Morning Star flag for the first time, signalling the recognition by the Dutch of West Papua’s national symbols and statehood. By the 19th of December, Indonesian security forces had begun their invasion of the region and have controlled the territory with brutality ever since. On 1 December every year flag-raisings and protests against Indonesian rule take place in West Papua and around the world.

This December 1st Papuans and friends in Melbourne will celebrate the 53rd anniversary at Melbourne’s Federation Square with a creative offering of documentaries, music videos and animations telling stories about and from West Papua with '19 Days of Freedom', as a community media and screen project beginning on 1st December 2014.

The Victoria West Papua Association, secretary, Ronny Kareni embraces the continued level of community engagement with Federation Square. In mid 2014 the West Papuan community were a key part of the Light in Winter festival.

“Showcasing these films (at Fed Square) helps to highlight our stories and enriches us with hope and strength in the pursuit of our self-determination struggle, Mr Kareni said.

As most Papuans in Melbourne came as refugees and are far from home, community and culture are vitally important to maintain.

“We value the opportunity to contribute to the diverse community in Melbourne that has welcomed us here and to keep our stories and culture alive by sharing in this most public of community spaces.

“We aim to amplify our voice, for freedom, human rights and for our cultural stories and connection to Melbourne, our current home,” he added.

The West Papuan Community in Melbourne is hopeful that this community initiative will be a two-year project with screenings of more film content next year in December.

Event:

1st December, Monday: 53rd Anniversary Celebration and screening of ISOLATED film, 11:30am til – 1pm, FED SQUARE – BIG SCREEN!

19th December, Friday: Special screening of award winning feature documentary, STRANGE BIRDS IN PARADISE – A West Papuan Story. At 7pm, The ATRIUM, FED SQUARE. Special musical appearance by Black Orchid Stringband - on the night!

1st -19th: 30 minutes package compilation of music videos, animations and shorts, FED SQUARE - BIG SCREEN!

For interviews and media enquiries:

Ronny Kareni – 0401 222 177 [email protected]

RISE : End of the year Appeal - ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’

Dear Friends, RISE prides itself on being a registered, not-for-profit organization, working tirelessly to improve non-government and government policies in relation to refugees/asylum seekers and to generate a positive social change for our community. RISE is managed, developed and run by people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. Those who have first-hand experience of settling in Australia are giving back to the community by working to support new arrivals as well as people who have been struggling in the community for some time. Our member base has grown from 280 in October 2012, to over 2000 members at the start of November 2014. The significant growth in our membership is partly due to the changes to Bridging Visas, whereby people falling within this category were stripped of their right to work or study. Many face poverty due to the lack of support services. Many are forced to live below the poverty line, being left with a mere $7 a day to cover transport, food and clothing costs. Those ineligible to access services are “left behind”, hindering their social development and adversely impacting their health and self-esteem. As a result of this increase there has been greater demand from people on Bridging Visas requesting our Support Services; including

Advocacy support services

Settlement support services

Job seeker support services

A daily drop-in service operating from 9.30am to 7pm

Driving lessons to attain ‘L’ and ‘P’ plates

ESL classes and Educational programs

Emergency material aid

Computer programs

Food bank

RISE resource library

Free Internet access

Music and arts projects for youth

Recreational activities and Events

In order to be able to assist members with any of the above services, we need to increase our resource capacity in these areas. We are appealing for your support to help us raise $50000 to cover the costs required to increase our resource capacity. The extra funds will allow us to help the new members coming to us who are in desperate need of assistance. How to Donate to RISE: RISE is a tax-deductible organization and your financial support will enable us to assist refugees and asylum seekers in building their new lives in Australia. Your donation will assist our dedicated volunteers to provide services directly to children, adults and entire families in the refugee and asylum seeker communities. Your donation will go directly towards supporting the following services currently provided by RISE: We urge you to lend us your support by making a tax-deductible donation. With your help, we can build a better and stronger future for all. To donate, please click here http://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee

Read more: “For the community, by the community - what does this mean for RISE and our members?” http://riserefugee.org/post/49329027310/for-the-community-by-the-community-what-does-this

RISE endorses joint statement on counter-terrorism legislation - 16/10/2014

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees joins with over 40 community organisations and academics calling on the Commonwealth Parliament not to rush through changes to Australian counter-terrorism legislation.

RISE believes there is a real possibility that the new laws will unduly restrict the basic rights and freedoms enjoyed by all members of the community in Australia. Because of this, it is vital that the Parliament carefully scrutinises the legislation and undertakes a proper community consultation about the appropriateness and proportionality of the proposed laws.

RISE has concerns about the effect on refugees whose personal circumstances – such as serious illness of close family members – may compel them to return temporarily to their countries of origin. Our members are already at a serious risk of harm from state and non-state actors in these countries of origin. The proposed legislation in Australia, the country which has given them refuge, would create an additional threat to their safety. It allows Australian authorities to detain and charge them for going to such places, and then forces them to prove to a court that they had a legitimate reason for being there.

Finally, the proposed legislation goes well beyond targeting the problem of "foreign fighters". It gives ASIO and other law enforcement agencies far-reaching powers and discretions to curtail people's rights and freedoms. We need rigorous debate and consultation about these changes, not a knee-jerk response.

Read the Full statement here : Joint Statement on Foreign Fighters Bill - 2014

Proposed reintroduction of TPV (Temporary protection VISA) – for refugees in Australia: RISE Media Release 12/09/2014

RISE highly condemns the proposed reintroduction of Temporary protection Visas (TPVs) for refugees by Australia's Liberal/National coalition government yesterday. TPVs create greater discrimination of refugees who happened to use boats as a mode of transport to Australia to seek asylum and prevents them from receiving basic entitlements under the UN refugee convention. How can TPVs provide a permanent humanitarian solution for people fleeing trauma and persecution? TPVs prevent family reunion or even overseas travel to visit family. TPVs increase the sense of uncertainty and violate the principal of non-refoulement by placing pressure on refugees to self-deport. At RISE we believe this policy reinforces the inequality faced by asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat.

There are over 50 million displaced refugees around the world, many languishing without proper protection in interim camps around the world. The offshore processing system will add tally to the interim camps and keeps refugees in isolation.

At RISE many of our members and founding members were on TPVs during the Howard regime and many are still on permanent resident visas without citizenship status. We are aware of individuals from this group who are now Australian citizens are unable to reunite with their immediate family members.

Irrespective of how people arrive to Australia, asylum seekers should not be punished for asking to be safe and protected. They should be treated with dignity and respect without being isolated behind barbed wire in remote deserts and islands or released into the community to face a life of deprivation and uncertainty due to punitive and discriminatory refugee policies.

Deterrence measures may lower the number of asylum seekers in Australia, but it is not a just and humanitarian solution for asylum seekers and it will not put a stop to people coming to this country by boat. The Australian government's claim that deterrence saves deaths at sea is misleading. There is evidence that deterrence policies force refugees into more extreme danger. People fleeing persecution will always keep trying to reach a more secure location for themselves and their families, whether there is a policy to stop them or not.

We urgently request the Australian Government and the public to show understanding towards asylum seekers who reach Australia to seek protection, to take all steps to have fair processing of asylum claims in Australia and ensure ALL refugees are granted permanent protection but not TPVs.

Get involved and stop the proposed reintroduction of TPV (Temporary protection VISA) by the Australian Government:

To lobby for international actions, click on the following links and alert your concern:

UNHCR Geneva http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4a324fcc6.html UN New York http://www.un.org/en/contactus/ World Human Rights Watch [email protected], http://www.hrw.org/contact/new-york High Commissioner for Human Rights [email protected] , [email protected]

You can also contact your member in the House of Representatives and ask them to take action. Find your member

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members

RISE exclusive media release (24 July 2014) : RISE WITHDRAWS FROM NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK’S SERVICES

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees has withdrawn from the use of National Australia Bank’s banking services because of its involvement in Australia’s inhumane, unlawful and unconscionable offshore detention industry.

We have been a National Australia Bank (NAB) customer since our founding in 2009. However, concerning information about NAB’s investment activities was brought to our attention in the last few months.

As recently as May, NAB was a substantial holder of shares in Transfield Services Limited. Transfield operates the Australian government’s offshore internment camps on Nauru and Manus Island. It stands at the heart of this country’s immigration detention–industrial complex. During the extended period that NAB held a substantial stake in the company, Transfield announced that it had reached an agreement with the Australian government to take over the Manus Island facility, on top of its existing contract to run the Nauru camp.

RISE’s governance structure includes refugees who are ex-detainees, and many of our members have also directly experienced and continue to experience the cruelty of Australia’s immigration detention system. After NAB’s investments in Transfield were brought to our attention, we were compelled to review our position as a NAB customer.

We sent a letter to NAB asking for an explanation. NAB responded that it had not directly invested in Transfield for its own benefit. It said that investment divisions within the group had traded in Transfield shares for the benefit of investors. It said that the decisions to invest in Transfield were not taken by NAB itself, but rather by investment managers who were bound to act solely based on financial considerations.

We have carefully considered this justification, but have indicated to NAB that we are not satisfied with it. It ignores the fact that NAB provides investment services as part of commercial activities from which it derives profit. It also ignores the fact that NAB created the investment products whose terms allegedly require the investment managers to invest unethically.

We have reached the view that it is untenable to stay with a bank that cultivates an “ethical” image but involves itself financially with policies that degrade the mental and physical well-being of persecuted people. We have therefore ended our own involvement with NAB.

We note that the Ethisphere Institute recently rated NAB as one of the “world’s most ethical companies”. We urge Ethisphere to review its decision in light of the serious concerns that we have raised.

Finally, we call on all refugee advocacy and welfare organisations to audit their activities to ensure that they are not implicated with the dirty profits of the immigration detention industry.

Federal republic of West Papua executives released from prison - 18 July 2014

The Indonesian government has claimed it is releasing the President and Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of West Papua (FRWP) on Monday 21 July 2014. President Forkorus Yaboisembut and Prime Minister Edison Waromi were convicted of treason, along with Selfius Bobbi, Agus Kraar, and Domiinikus Sorabut, after the 3rd Papua Congress established the independent state of West Papua on 19 October 2011.

Jacob Rumbiak, FRWP Minister for Foreign Affairs, believes President Yudhoyono should use the final months of his office to negotiate with the FRWP executives he has just released. “Edison and Forkorus were elected by the West Papuan people to negotiate our status as an independent state, and the president should be talking with them under the formal auspice of a UN Security Council member like Australia. Otherwise his country will humiliate itself again, as it did in East Timor in 1999”.

Rumbiak believes President Yudhoyono is obliged to release all the other Papuan political prisoners. “There are another seventy-six West Papuan political prisoners illegally incarcerated on convictions of treason; President Yudhoyono needs to release them before his second term finishes in October”.

Minister Rumbiak said Waromi and Yaboisembut are being released on the same day that the new president of Indonesia is being announced. “General Prabowo’s brother, the influential businessman who funded the general’s election campaign, warned (former American president) Clinton not to visit Jakarta next week. ”He would be safe in West Papua” said Rumbiak, “because the FRWP has eight-thousand West Papuan police well capable of protecting him, as well as the Indonesian citizens who live with us”.

Minister Rumbiak, speaking from the Federal Republic of West Papua’s new five-star-energy office in Docklands (Melbourne), wants Greg Moriarty, the Australian Ambassador in Jakarta, to visit Waromi and Yaboisembut in West Papua next week. “As Indonesia’s key financial sponsor, with a seat on the UN Security Council, Australia has a duty to protect our heads of state” he said. INQUIRIES West Papua Jack Wanggai, Spokesperson for Prime Minister Waromi; +62 813 4458 9878 Agus Ayamiseba, FRWP Spokesperson in Pidgin; +62 821 9757 2939 Australia Ronny Kareni, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, 0401 222 177 Melkias Okoka, Media Liaison, 0403 588 796

Urgent request to the international community to investigate disappearance of 153 Asylum seekers : 04/07/2014

RISE has sent a second communication in the early hours of the morning to the UN High Commissioner for Human rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment requesting an urgent investigation into the disappearance of the asylum seekers who are reported to have arrived in Australian waters last week.

It is extremely important the International community make every effort to act now because as reported in The Australian on 3 July 2014, Sri Lankan Human rights lawyer Lakshan Dias said:

"...if the handover happened in international waters and no one was there to witness it, both governments could claim the asylum-seekers were rescued after experiencing boat trouble.

“The violation is by the Australian government which is blocking the legal movement of people in international waters,” he said.

“You can’t blame the Sri Lankan government. Australia is Sri Lanka’s best friend at the moment. They support them in international forums, they have donated coastguard boats, and so if your friend asks you for a favour you try to help. Australia won’t want to come into a Sri Lankan port to hand over these people because it would tarnish their image...”

A copy our communication to the UN Human rights commissioner is as follows:

Urgent Request for investigation into whereabouts of Missing Tamil asylum seekers-reports they are being pushed back by Australia to International waters & handed to Sri Lankan Navy.

This is an urgent communication from RISE: Refugees, survivors and ex-detainees in Melbourne.

On 1 July 2014 we sent you an email urgently asking for assistance regarding the disappearance of 153 Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers, men, women and children on a 21m long boat who were last in contact with Refugee advocates in Australia on 28 June 2014 after it arrived in Australian waters as well as the possibility of another boat load of 50 whose whereabouts are also unknown.

To date the Australian Minister of Immigration and Border protection, Mr. Scott Morrison, and the Prime Minister Tony Abbott have refused to reveal what has happened to these asylum seekers.

However since Tuesday 1 July 2014 there are disturbing reports that the Australian government has loaded them onto an Australian customs vessel and is planning to handover the asylum seekers mid-ocean to the Sri Lankan Navy, directly into the hands of their persecutors. The Australian government still refuses to confirm to NGOs and the media if this has happened.

Looking at the number of calendar days since the news was first reported, it is likely that the asylum seekers would now be in international waters. In fact a news report yesterday (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/ocean-transfers-of-asylumseekers-expected-today/story-fn9hm1gu-1226975765268) also says they are likely to have been transferred to the Sri Lankan navy on international waters by now.

Once the detained asylum seekers are on international waters it is the UN that has the competence to investigate the fate of these detainees and we therefore ask for an urgent investigation into the whereabouts of these prisoners and confirm if they are now in the hands of those they are seeking asylum from.

We have also made a similar request to other UN human rights bodies as well as ICRC (International committee of the Red Cross).

RISE - Two day Social Media Blackout on Refugee Week : 20/06/2014

(Refugee week) : Next two days we will be having a social media blackout to mourn for refugees facing death crossing borders by land, sea and air, entering countries where they are imprisoned indefinitely while governments and international NGOs controlled by OECD countries reduce refugee week into a PR stunt.

The world’s forcibly displaced has exceeded over 51 million, the highest number since world war II, with no co-ordinated effort to create more resettlement places and other long-term humanitarian solutions for refugees rather than profits centred on “border security” at the expense of our lives. If even UNHCR, an international body that was created to assist refugees has for example implemented a racist policy in Turkey where the processing of Afghan refugees has been frozen indefinitely we cannot see how we could be a party to this international farce at the expense of our communities. If refugee week is about US, it should be about OUR freedom, OUR voices, OUR lives and OUR future.

Nothing about us, without us - RISE:Refugees, survivors and ex-detainees.

Press statement on Cambodia’s refugee resettlement agreement with Australia by CHRAC ( The Cambodian human rights action committee) -

Phnom Penh, 4 June 2014 – The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) – a coalition of 21 NGOs working in the field of the promotion Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law in the Kingdom of Cambodia raises serious concerns about Australia’s pending agreement with Cambodia to resettle its refugees here.

Of the almost one million asylum seekers worldwide in 2012 (UNHCR), Australia’s annual intake is just over 2% compared to other developed countries (Germany at 12%, USA at 17%). Australia has a long and problematic history when it comes to the treatment of these asylum seekers. After the agreement to send about 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia was declared unconstitutional by the High Court of Australia in 2011, the Australian government is now attempting to resettle about 1,000 refugees in Cambodia. The fact that Cambodia, unlike Malaysia, has ratified the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees appears to be the only criterion the Australian government is concerned with.

Scott Morrison, the Australian Immigration Minister recently stated: “refugee status is not a ticket to a first class economy” and that "It's not about whether they are poor, it’s about whether they can be safe." While it is normal practice to resettle refugees received in poorer countries to more developed countries under the Refugee Convention this pending agreement seeks to do the opposite. CHRAC contends it is irresponsible that a ‘first class economy’ like Australia is shifting its responsibilities and obligations under the Refugee Convention onto a country with a history of serious human rights abuse and little or no resources to support incoming refugees.

However, the most pressing question Scott Morrison’s statement raises is whether Cambodia is actually a safe place for refugees. According to the UNHCR a resettlement country should provide the refugee with “legal and physical protection, including access to civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights similar to those enjoyed by nationals”. Anyone aware of the situation in Cambodia knows that the ‘rights enjoyed by nationals’ in Cambodia are far from enviable.

Cambodia’s recent history of human rights violations is well documented, with freedom of expression, assembly and association regularly under attack, while corruption is widespread. There is also a serious culture of impunity where Cambodian security forces and government agencies have been known to commit abuses such as killings, torture, and arbitrary detention without being held accountable. Those living on the margins are particularly vulnerable to these abuses.

In addition, Cambodia’s track record with asylum seekers and refugees is very shaky. Under pressure from China, Cambodia forcibly deported 20 ethnic Uighurs asylum seekers back to China in 2009, where they were either executed or subjected to lengthy prison sentences. The Kingdom has also been responsible for the forced return of the Khmer Krom activist monks to Vietnamese authorities. The Cambodian authorities then used this deportation as a threat for the Krom community to ward them against further activism promoting their rights.

For the 68 asylum seekers and refugees currently living in Cambodia everyday life is a struggle. They certainly do not enjoy the same rights as nationals; many cannot get a job because they have no working permit, cannot open a bank account or purchase property, send money overseas, nor do they have access to suitable education and healthcare services.

The current proposed deal between Australia and Cambodia is shrouded in secrecy where opposition parties in Australia and the public have no access to any information relating to this deal. Media reports that between $40 - $80 millions are promised by the Australian Government to the Cambodian Government in development aid in exchange for the resettlement of these refugees. Given that it is widely accepted corruption is rampant in the Cambodian Government, CHRAC is gravely concerned that the ‘aid’ money Australia is providing will simply go into the pockets of individual Government Officials.

CHRAC is calling on the Australia Government to reconsider the refugee deal it has struck with the Cambodian Government. This deal contravenes the Refugee Convention as there is no way the Australian Government can ensure once these refugees reach Cambodia that they will be afforded any of the fundamental human rights protection that are taken for granted in Australia.

It is clear that Cambodia is in a human rights crisis of its own; that the refugees currently residing in the country are deprived of basic rights and that this situation is not likely to change by the time Australia brings its refugees in the country. Cambodia is not a safe place for refugees and the only parties benefitting from this agreement are the Australian government and Cambodian government officials.

For more information, please contact: -Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Chairman of CHRAC, 012 901199 -Mr. Thun Saray, President, ADHOC, 016 440044 -Mr. Run Saray, Executive Director of LAC, 012 838341 -Ms. Sith Hong Eang, Acting President, 017 788955 -Mr. Yong Kim Eng, President of PDP – Center, 016 828211 -Mr. Suon Bunsak, Chief of CHRAC secretariat, 092 344357

RISE Winter Clothing Appeal - 2014

It’s nearing winter again which means it’s time to bring out the coats. With the success of last year’s Winter Coat Appeal, RISE is once again welcoming donations of quality winter clothing. Unfortunately, many of our members endure the cold winter months without heating or even adequate clothing to keep them warm. At present asylum seekers on bridging visas and community detention live in the community without any work or study rights who are facing financial difficulties. Most must try to make ends meet with a meagre allowance that is less than Newstart, and buying warm clothes is difficult for many. Currently there are over 1500 asylum seekers and refugees registered at RISE to access services in need of food and shelter.

We are calling for donations of coats, jackets, jumpers or other winter accessories for this winter. We are after men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in all sizes. If you don’t have any clothes to donate, feel free to donate to RISE so we are able to purchase some quality winter wear for our members. Please follow the link to donate and add a special message with your donation that you’d like it to go to the Coat Drive. http://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee If you’d like to donate clothing items, we welcome drop offs at the RISE Hub during work hours. Otherwise you may post your clothing to:

Attn: RISE Winter clothing Appeal RISE, Level 1, Ross House 247 Flinders Lane Melbourne, 3000

While RISE appreciates all donations given, however, it is important to remember that although we work with members who are in vulnerable situations, this does not mean they are less deserving of good, quality items. Last year we received many items that were unable to be used in the drive such as very worn and ragged clothing and used underwear. Therefore, we ask that you respect the dignity of our members and please donate only clothes in new condition and of course no used underwear please! Please do not donate anything without making sure it is clean and presentable. If you are unsure, feel free to email [email protected] to ask.

Your donation will ensure somebody who may be unable to afford warm clothing won’t have to stay cold this winter.

Follow RISE on Twitter https://twitter.com/riserefugee Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/RISE-Refugee-Survivors-and-Ex-detainees/231684710205009

A letter from an asylum seeker in the Australian government’s Manus Island detention camp: 11/05/2014

Dearest XXXXX Please TELL people of AUSTRALIA that the AUS GOV is spending your taxes just to keep many innocent and defenceless asylum seekers in detentions which there is no difference between them and pigsties. What is it's benefit for people of AUSTRALIA? THEY PAY THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE as much as this for per month: 1- wilson's officers:$10000 to $15000 2- cleaner workers: $ 15000 3- doctors and nurses: no bodyknows 4- cooks and kitchen workers:? 5- employed PNG LOCAL PEOPLE:$300 to $700 6- the transfield staff:$6000 to $8000 there are many other people who work here and they pay them. The AUS GOV spends your taxes this way. We asylum seekers can be useful if we are in Australia. For example the GOV can use us in agriculturing. I heard that Queensland state has many dry land and deserts. We can work and plant jungles, trees and vegetables. In that dry area the AUS GOV can process our cases and claims and then they can deport anyone who is not known as a refugee. Each asylum seeker has a skill and a useful profession AND we can be useful for AUS instead of being kept here as prisoners and being useless too. We want the AUS GOV AND AUS PEOPLE to think of this . There are many ways to use our skills in a significant way. Detention centers brought many bad things for us. Some unknown illnesses, mental and spiritual illnesses that forced some people to commit suicide or hurt themselves and other terrible things. Please think about this and make a right decision for us. If the AUS GOV and AUS PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO ACCEPT US AS REFUGEES,WE ALL WANT THEM PLEASE TO LET U.N. LOOK AFTER OUR CASES and decide about us. Keeping us here in detentions has no profit and it is only loss for people of AUS and us too. It is for 10 months that we are in detentions. What was it's benefit for you? Nothing, just spending billions of dollars which is your taxes. PLEASE STOP IT. PLEASE LET ALL POEPLE OF AUSTRALIA READ AND HEAR THIS PLEASE DO IT ALL THE WORLD TNX

A letter from an asylum seeker in the Australian government’s Manus Island detention camp - 06/05/2014

Dear xxx. hi

In manus camps, at the moment we all face many problems.

The gym equipments are very few and poor. The medical has a very poor condition too. When a sick asylum seeker goes to the medical,some doctors and nurses(not all of them) tell him that you are not sick,they say :all of you lie.

On friday evening one of our friends went to medical for his footache,but they told him that you are ok and are lying, He came back to the foxtrot camp and went straight to the bathroom and hanged himself. He was dying when the other asylum seekers found him just 10 seconds before he die. His eyes were jumping out of his face.

We all are under spiritually and mentally ,and affectionately pressures. We are also deprived from many things. Too.many asylum seekers are married and the other are single. No one had any sexual relationship during the past 9 months,and it made them many mental problems.

It is for 9 months that we got imprisoned in a place which there is no difference between that and a pigsty. At most of the times they treated us like wild animals. Why AUS GOV spend very large sum of money, just to keep us in bad conditions. What is its result and outcome for the AUS GOV and australian poeple.

If the AUS GOV do not want to accecpt us as refugees,we all want it to deliver us to the U.N. We all got mentally sick and some of us have lost their wisedom. Please help us and rescue us from the situation.we need your help.

DEAR xxxx : please tell this also to poeple of australia:

BE AWARE:the government is spending your taxes just to keep many innocent and defencelss asylum seekers in prison and treat them like wild animals. We did not leave our country because of hunger,thirst or for clothing.we do not need them,we need to live free like the other poeple. PLEASE HELP US,WE NEED YOUR HELP.TNX

Message of Thanks from Asylum seekers in Australia's offshore detention camps : 17/04/2014

A message of thanks from asylum seekers in Australia's offshore detention camps in response to the coverage their letter and poem from Manus Island (http://riserefugee.org/post/82338911881/letter-and-poem-from-manus-island-detention-camp-with) received at the Palm Sunday Rallies and the media (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cartoon/2014/apr/14/postcard-from-manus-island) WE ARE THE ASYLUM SEEKERS OF MANUS ISLAND, NAURU AND CHRISTMAS ISLAND AND APPRECIATE THE KIND PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA FOR THEIR SUPPORT. WE STILL NEED THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND BE YOUR GUARDIAN.

Letter and poem from Manus Island Detention Camp with request that it be included in Palm Sunday Rallies this Weekend - 11/04/2014

I am writing from Manus Island Detention Camp. We left our homes because of a variety of reasons. We found Australia thinking this would be a place of shelter. We had different reasons for stepping into this very dangerous and so suffering journey. But all of us suffered from a common pain, which was lack of freedom. We didn't come to Australia to take from you. Australia didn't confirm us and banished us to a so far island in the middle of the ocean. After about 9 months traveling on land, by car, plane, boat, and ship we have been banished and faced being wildly attacked. This led to the killing of one man, Reza Barati, and the injuring of more than 150 asylum seekers. Some of them even lost parts of their bodies. We have borne many kinds of disrespect. We are in a very bad mentally sick and physical health situation now. The fungus illness is epidemic here in camp and many of us are suffering from that. We are stuck in limbo in here. This experience is unexplainable through words. We can not go back and we cannot go on. Now, after about 9 months, everything in us has become dull and everything is meaningless. Now we watch the broken pieces of our heart and souls on the ground. We don’t know if these broken pieces are all we will ever see. We don’t know whether these terrible days and nights will come to the end or not? WE THE ASYLUM SEEKERS OF MANUS AND NAURU AND CHRISTMAS ISLAND ASK FOR HELP FROM THE KIND PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA. WE ALSO ASK FOR THE HELP OF AUSTRALIAN POLITICIANS TO ASK THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO SEND US TO OTHER COUNTRIES IF THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT TO ACCEPT US AS REFUGEES. IT IS VERY HARD TO LIVE IN THIS HARD SITUATION. WE ALL WANT YOU PLEASE TO THINK THAT WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE FREE. - Thank you.

GREEN HELL We can’t go back We can’t go on (Here is Green Hell) We can’t stay We can’t run away (Here is green hell) We’re left in the middle Without a chance to settle (Here is green hell) What was our fault? Why did you banish us? (Here is green hell) Kindness is scarce Love has vanished (Here is green hell) This is not fiction This is a true story (Here is green hell) Please help us Please help us (Here is green hell)

RISE Media Release (4 April 2014): The forced transfer of asylum seekers in Sydney’s Villawood detention centre to the remote desert camp of Curtin and Yongah Hill in Western Australia

RISE condemns the acts of violence yesterday, against asylum seekers in Villawood detention centre in Sydney, Australia by SERCO security guards under instructions from the Australian department of immigration and border protection. A few days ago, asylum seekers were handed a letter noting that they will be moved to the remote desert camp of Curtin or Yongah Hill in Western Australia. When asylum seekers asked the purpose behind the transfer they were simply told it was an “operational matter”. Lawyers attempted a last-minute legal bid to prevent the transfer but it was unsuccessful.

Yesterday morning security guards forcibly moved about 40 asylum seekers from Villawood to Curtin detention centre and many more are expected to be transferred soon to remote locations. When Villawood asylum seekers refused to be removed they were cuffed and forcibly escorted to the bus. One man is reported to have slashed his wrists but he was immediately bandaged, handcuffed and forced onto the bus. This atrocity carried out in a suburb of Sydney reminds us how Australia has gone beyond accepted human rights norms and perpetuates an oppressive regime against victims of torture, trauma and persecution, seeking asylum in this country.

It is important to remember these asylum seekers have been obtaining legal assistance from lawyers in Sydney and their sudden move to remote locations will further hinder an already flawed asylum claim process. It is a method which RISE ex-detainee members have witnessed being used for over a decade. A method that is used to silence and punish asylum seekers through cruel and degrading treatment until they reach breaking point and decide to self-deport to the countries they are seeking protection from.

When the notorious Curtin immigration detention centre was reopened by the previous Rudd Labor government in 2010, RISE included the following quotes in a media release condemning this move:-

A former Curtin detainee from Iran said, “While we were in Curtin detention our freedom was violated and limited by the authorities who treated us like animals. Even in the Australian zoo, animals have some level of privilege and are given special treatment by workers and veterinary nurses."

An Afghan ex-detainee from Curtin said, “We saw the same sky and the same people every day surrounded by no love and it numbed our feelings. The isolation of people in this red desert is not a solution for stopping people smugglers profiting from innocent victims of trauma”

Another Afghan ex-detainee from Curtin said, “When I remember Curtin detention center, my whole body starts shaking and I’m still scared of talking about what happened to me while I was there. I saw my friends getting deported over night without any sort of expectations or warning

alarm....... I saw the bad side of Australian treatment for detainees, but I’m not a citizen yet and I would like to bring my family to Australia so I’m not going to give my name publicly”

Curtin is one of the worst remote immigration detention centres in Australia and many RISE members have experienced first-hand what it is like to be detained there. This "facility" shattered people’s lives and the isolated surroundings intimidated people into volunteering to go back to the countries where their lives were jeopardised in the first place. When people spoke out against injustices they were experiencing they were placed in isolation or solitary confinement with no proper oversight or accountability. Ex-detainees who were imprisoned in Curtin by the previous governments of Australia are still struggling daily to forget the trauma they experienced in this camp. Now the Minister of Immigration Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Tony Abbott condemned the Villawood asylum seekers to the same terrible fate.

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