Refugees – still an issue

PhD RESEARCH – ‘SPEAKING RIGHTLY OF GOD IN A WORLD OF SUFFERING’

Elaine Ledgerwood is a PhD student in theology at Murdoch University. She is interested in listening to Christians who have supported refugees in detention or on temporary protection visas reflect on how their experiences have shaped their faith. Elaine will be in Sydney from 12 – 22 February to undertake research interviews. If you are interested in participating, know someone who might be interested or would like further information on this research, please contact:
0412 143 498 or
e.ledgerwood@ecu.edu.au

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – 2008 IMMIGRATION DETENTION REPORT

Releasing the 2008 report on conditions in immigration detention in mid-January, Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes called on Government to translate its ‘new directions’ for Australia’s immigration detention system into policy, practice and legislative change as soon as possible. ‘Our report shows we are still seeing children being held in detention facilities, people being detained for prolonged and indefinite periods and dilapidated detention centres being used for accommodation, and now we also have the disturbing reality that the massive prison-like Christmas Island facility is open for business.’ The Report recommends: the legislation of minimum standards in immigration detention; the amending of the Migration Act to ensure detention is the exception rather than the norm; putting an end to the detention of people on Christmas Island; and, the implementation of the recommendations of the national inquiry into children in immigration detention. The report can be accessed at:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/media_releases/2009/2_09.html

BACKGROUND PAPER ON DETENTION AND VISA CANCELLATIONS.
The background paper, ‘Immigration detention and visa cancellation under section 501 of the Migration Act’ is another resource issued recently by the Human Rights Commission. The paper outlines why there are section 501 detainees in immigration detention, explains the process of visa cancellation under section 501, and raises some human rights concerns about the visa cancellation process and its potential consequences. The paper is available at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/501_migration_2009.html