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In the wake of the tragedy, that is the Syrian Refugee Crisis, we have
witnessed what true inhumanity looks like; where today, innocent
children are being caught in the crossfire of a political battle. Despite
the announcement by the Abbot Government on Tuesday that
Australia will provide formal sanctuary to 12,000 Syrian refugees,
this is simply not enough; because we could, and should, be doing so
much more.
And thus we must consider: What kind of a nation are we?
Since 2013, our Australian stance on accepting Asylum seekers
has been eminent – we will
STOP THE BOATS
at all costs. Rejecting
boats, sending boats back, to Nauru, to Manus Island – we’ve tried
it all, it’s known to us as the Australian Asylum Seeker Policy, which
is Fair and just.
But internationally, our actions to prevent asylum seekers from
settling in our country are seen as a ‘strange obsession’ which reflects
the disgustingly selfish Australian values. It is almost impossible, for
less wealthy, less developed and smaller nations, to fathom how we,
one of the most economic and socially developed countries, can be
declining a basic human right to those who are absolutely helpless.
When
UN
figures revealed that in 2013, Australia was home to
only 4% of the world’s asylum seekers, it’s no wonder why we have
been criticised left, right and centre, most notably by the leaders of
China, Fiji and even, the
UN
. Once again we are seen as shooting
ourselves in the foot, our own actions are damaging our international
reputation.
Represented by ruthless leaders, who commit to ‘stopping at
nothing’ to end asylum seekers from settling in our nation, we
should be ashamed for lack of compassion we have shown towards
those who have turned to us for help.
We need to stick by our Australia values, we need to show some
compassion.
We can only interpret words off a page and figures in statistic, but
we will never truly experience the devastation of not having a home.
Asylum seekers have no home. They have no hope.
For the simple privilege to leave their country, they risk their lives,
spend their entire life savings on just a one way ticket. A ticket which
gives them a glimpse of hope, but buys them an overcrowded,
unhygienic voyage, unlikely to make it to their destination.
In an exclusive 60 minutes interview with Bashir Yousef, one of
Asylum Seekers
Eliza Li
Alan Patterson Public
Speaking Award
Winner