Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) welcomes the introduction of the Migration Amendment (Evacuation to Safety) Bill 2023 in the Senate, requiring the evacuation to Australia of all remaining refugees and people seeking asylum held in detention in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
CRA has been a vocal opponent of offshore detention, making a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s inquiry into the End Indefinite and Arbitrary Immigration Detention Bill 2021, supporting community based alternatives to Immigration Detention.
There are a total of 150 refugees still detained in Nauru and Papua New Guinea who, having experienced traumatic and inhumane conditions for over a decade, need urgent evacuation to Australia.
“What is particularly alarming is the significant number of deaths that have occurred as a result of offshore detention, as well as the widespread abuse that has taken place, including child sexual abuse, medical negligence and self-harm,” said Peter Jones OSA, President of CRA.
CRA supports the proposal outlined in the Bill to place those who accept an offer of evacuation in the Australian community, rather than detention, and the provision of medical assessments and any treatment required.
“The Australian government has a moral responsibility to act”, commented CRA National Executive Director, Ms Anne Walker. “There have been grave violations of the rights and dignity of those detained. This is a step in the right direction towards overcoming the catastrophic failure that is offshore detention.”
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Anne Walker | nationalexec@catholicreligious.org.au | 0409 936 711