Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
1 Mar 2013
The serious allegations against one asylum seeker should not be grounds to treat all asylum seekers as criminals, says Father Maurice Pettenà, Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO).
Referring to the arrest this week of an asylum seeker for an alleged sexual assault on a female student at the Macquarie University, Fr Pettanà says it is deeply concerning that the arrest has been followed by calls to stop allowing men, women and children seeking asylum to live within the community on bridging visas while awaiting assessment of their applications for resettlement as refugees.
"ACMRO fully supports the current Government policy of hosting asylum seekers in the community and have great respect for the decision to increase Australia's humanitarian intake to 20,000 each year," he says.
"Asylum seekers are not criminals and should not be treated as such," he insists and reiterated one ACMRO's commitment to defend the right of all people to seek asylum.
"The hosting of asylum seekers in the community is an entirely appropriate, effective and humane way for Australia to respond," he says.
Citing the thousands of Australians who have volunteered their time, energy and compassion to helping asylum seekers, he pointed to the warm and ongoing friendships that had developed between the new arrivals and those who were helping them rebuild their lives and be welcomed as contributing members of local communities.
"Helping asylum seekers in settle into the community and offering the hand of friendship is both a joy and a wonderful gift for Catholics," he says and quotes from the Book of Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Having listened to story after story from many families and individuals and the terrible misery and violence suffered before being forced to flee war torn countries and persecution, Fr Pettenà says "it is heartbreaking witness in which the hostile way asylum seekers are treated once they arrive in Australia."
"The fact remains that current policies on boarder control are already too tough," he claims and points out that in the past three years alone the Government's continued use of mandatory and indefinite immigration detention has resulted in several suicides and countless self-harm incidents, many of which involve children.
"On top of this children and families continue to be detained in remote regional areas and more recently on Nauru and Manus Island under appalling conditions" he says and describes calls for a further toughening of asylum seeker policy "incredibly disappointing."
"The calls for even harsher treatment of asylum seekers who land on our shores seeking a safe haven reflects a policy of fear pursued at the expense of human dignity and the moral obligation to afford protection for the most vulnerable," he says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
1 Mar 2013
Father Maurizio Pettena Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office
Referring to the arrest this week of an asylum seeker for an alleged sexual assault on a female student at the Macquarie University, Fr Pettanà says it is deeply concerning that the arrest has been followed by calls to stop allowing men, women and children seeking asylum to live within the community on bridging visas while awaiting assessment of their applications for resettlement as refugees.
"ACMRO fully supports the current Government policy of hosting asylum seekers in the community and have great respect for the decision to increase Australia's humanitarian intake to 20,000 each year," he says.
"Asylum seekers are not criminals and should not be treated as such," he insists and reiterated one ACMRO's commitment to defend the right of all people to seek asylum.
"The hosting of asylum seekers in the community is an entirely appropriate, effective and humane way for Australia to respond," he says.
Refugees often live in appalling conditions and risk their lives on boats in a bid to find safety and a future
"Helping asylum seekers in settle into the community and offering the hand of friendship is both a joy and a wonderful gift for Catholics," he says and quotes from the Book of Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Having listened to story after story from many families and individuals and the terrible misery and violence suffered before being forced to flee war torn countries and persecution, Fr Pettenà says "it is heartbreaking witness in which the hostile way asylum seekers are treated once they arrive in Australia."
Behind high fences and razor wire on Manus where asylum seekers including children may be forced to stay for five years or more
"On top of this children and families continue to be detained in remote regional areas and more recently on Nauru and Manus Island under appalling conditions" he says and describes calls for a further toughening of asylum seeker policy "incredibly disappointing."
"The calls for even harsher treatment of asylum seekers who land on our shores seeking a safe haven reflects a policy of fear pursued at the expense of human dignity and the moral obligation to afford protection for the most vulnerable," he says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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