Refugees and allies mark 60 days of protest for permanency

MEDIA RELEASE:

Refugees and allies will join in solidarity at a peaceful vigil in Melbourne tonight, marking 60 days of ongoing protests urging the Government to grant permanency to approximately 8,500* people failed by the flawed Fast Track system. The refugee-led movement has built momentum in recent weeks, with 24-hour encampments now running in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney.

Protestors are still waiting for answers from the Albanese Government on what their future holds, and whether Labor will finally provide a resolution for the thousands of men, women and children who’ve endured over a decade of family separation, uncertainty and fear of deportation. Kalyani Inpakumar, an organiser of the Sydney encampment and NSW Coordinator of the Tamil Refugee Council, said the encampments will continue until “justice is finally served for those who have endured so much”.

The notoriously defective Fast Track system introduced by the Abbott Government in 2014 failed refugees and people seeking asylum on countless levels. It has produced unfair and legally incorrect decisions, caused extended delays, re-traumatised people and resulted in refugees being deported to countries where they face persecution and risk of serious harm.

Despite Labor committing to abolish the Fast Track process in October this year due to its long history of incorrect decisions and poor processes, no commitment has been made to rectify the harm caused to the remaining 8,500 people subjected to a clearly failed system. Many have lived in our communities for over 12 years, raised families and children and want to be able to rebuild their lives with certainty and permanency in Australia.

*The 8,500 figure includes approximately 1,200 people who still do not have Department of Home Affairs decisions on their initial protection visa applications. The remaining people are going through review processes or have no options remaining.

Read ASRC’s briefing on the Fast Track process for more information

Quotes attributable to:

Ogy Simic, ASRC’s Head of Refugee Leadership and Advocacy
“There is a simple solution for the 8,500 people who have lived in our communities for over 12 years – and it’s called leadership. Right now refugees are looking to the Albanese Government to make sure that those failed by a flawed system are given the opportunity to finally rebuild their lives and feel certainty about their future here. Their home is here.”

Abbas Ghezzy, organiser at the Melbourne encampment
“I’ve lived as part of this community for 12 years and Australia is my home. 60 days sleeping in the streets is nothing compared to the past 12 years we’ve been through living here in limbo. We deserve permanent visas and a chance to give back to our communities.”

Kalyani Inpakumar, NSW Coordinator of the Tamil Refugee Council and organiser of the Sydney encampment
“Despite weeks of rallying, we are still waiting for answers from Tony Burke. The refugees’ resolve remains unshaken, and our commitment to the encampments will continue until permanent protection is granted to every refugee. We will not rest until every refugee’s voice is heard, every right is upheld, and justice is finally served for those who have endured so much.”

Mustafa Forouzandeh, organiser of the Brisbane encampment
“We are determined to stay and continue. We are here until we get an answer.”

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