To date, the refugee debate in Australia has been dominated by misinformation and unfounded fears. As a result, the unfair and ineffective policy of mandatory detention has continued virtually unchallenged.
As Australia’s detention system deteriorates, it’s time to get your MP to rethink refugees and support a detention policy that is based on the facts:
- It is not illegal to seek asylum, even if arriving by boat (Australian Migration Act, 1958);
- Most asylum seekers who arrive by boat are found to be genuine refugees; and
- Asylum seekers who arrive by boat make up less than 2% of our overall migration.
Mandatory detention ignores these facts, and unfairly punishes people who are exercising their right to asylum. Demand that your MP support an end to mandatory detention, and represent your concerns to the rest of their party.
Get involved:
Sign the petition below and demand your local MP help end mandatory detention in Australia.
To the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives,
I am calling on my federal representative to rethink refugees and help end the policy of mandatory detention. This policy ignores the facts:
- It is not illegal to seek asylum, even if arriving by boat (Australian Migration Act, 1958);
- Most asylum seekers who arrive by boat are found to be genuine refugees; and
- The numbers of asylum seekers who arrive by boat make less than 2% of our overall migration.
I believe that mandatory detention unfairly punishes people fleeing war, terror and violence. I call on all MPs to show real leadership on this issue and commit to detention reform that focuses on the humane, efficient and cost-effective policy of housing asylum seekers in the community.
More information on:
http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/24781/
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