JourneyOnline
THE UNITING Church called for compassion and a renewed commitment to our international obligations on World Refugee Day, Monday 20 June.
Uniting Church President, Rev AIistair Macrae, said it was important to remember this is not a new issue.
“This year we rightly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and 57 years since Australia became a signatory.
“Until recently Australia has had a proud history of upholding our international obligations under the Convention,” he said.
“We have been generous and compassionate as we welcomed asylum seekers and refugees to a safe life in our country.
“This year however the celebration is accompanied by profound lament – Australia has turned its back on the spirit of the Convention.
“Asylum seekers fleeing situations of violence and persecution arrive, as they are entitled to do under the Refugee Convention, to find themselves being used like political footballs.
“Our political leaders have embarked on a race to the bottom, with the prize being awarded to the party which can deliver the harshest penalties.”
Mr Macrae said Australia should be a model country in demonstrating compassion to all people in need.
“Instead, in the face of just a few thousand people arriving by boat, we have hardened our hearts.
“Now we risk losing any moral authority to encourage other countries to better protect the rights and dignity of all people and uphold their own commitments to human rights,” he said.
“The Uniting Church in Australia has long called for compassion and moral leadership in Australia’s treatment of vulnerable people, including asylum seekers.
“It is our firm view that as a nation we must live up to our international obligations and display the generosity we would wish to be known by.
“The proposed plan to ‘swap’ people with Malaysia is an abrogation of our moral responsibility as a stable and wealthy nation and our responsibilities under the 60-year-old Convention,” said Mr Macrae.
“Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and has a record of human rights abuses against asylum seekers and refugees.
“Our God calls us to welcome the stranger, care for the neighbour in need and treat others as we ourselves would want to be treated,” he said.
Photo : A Malaysian immigration detention camp. Photo by refugee expert Dr Graham Thom from a 2009 research trip and courtesy of Amnesty International
