Let’s assist those seeking safety, not arrest them

In the lead-up to the 110th annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees (Refugee Sunday - 29 September), St Vincent de Paul Society urges all Australians to open their hearts and assist those who come here seeking refuge from violence and persecution in their home countries. 

‘In the words of Pope Francis, “God not only walks with his people, but also within them. He identifies himself with people on their journey through history, particularly with the least, the poor and the marginalised,”’ said the Society’s National President, Mark Gaetani.  

‘The Pope is greatly concerned about the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees worldwide. Our response should be, as he says, “to meet and assist the person who knocks on our door, hungry, thirsty, an outsider, naked, sick and imprisoned.”  

‘People fleeing for fear of their lives should be assisted, not arrested, offered a proper chance to explain their circumstances, not treated as criminals and held in offshore detention.  

The Nauru facility, now reopened, currently has more than 100 detainees, while around 50 people have been held in Port Moresby, PNG for 11 years. This is far too long to be left in limbo in a challenging place. Both groups should be brought to Australia for proper care and assessment for resettlement here or in another suitable country. 

‘The offshore processing policy is a cruel failure that has cost over $12 billion from 2012-2024 and people’s welfare is surrounded by secrecy. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’s recent report on the health of detainees in PNG and Nauru, especially their mental health, is alarming and a terrible indictment of Australia’s oversight.’ 

Mr Gaetani also raised the situation of the thousands of people living in Australia whose status continues to be unresolved.  

‘Some 8,500 people subject to the unfair ‘fast-track’ process are living ‘temporarily’ in our community, as are 1,000 people medically evacuated from PNG and Nauru who are living here on short-term visas. Organisations such as St Vincent de Paul Society, Australian Catholic & Migrant Refugee Office and the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum are providing vital support as well as making regular representations to government.’ 

Again, we call on the Australian Government to quickly and justly resolve the status of these people, so they can begin to rebuild their lives in a permanent and safe home. Meanwhile, they should be provided with work rights and support if they can’t work. 

‘At present, many feel they are being punished for coming here, although in doing so, whether by boat or not, they were seeking our protection in accordance with international law.’ 

Notes 

In the belief that ‘Compassion for the stranger who has fallen on hard times is at the heart of Jesus’ life and message’, the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) is a leading supporter of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, or ‘Refugee Sunday’, 29 Sept.  

CAPSA will host a Week of Prayer and Action from 16-20 September, with a free all-welcome webinar on Wed 18 Sep 2024, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm AEST exploring what we can do to ‘journey together’ with refugees and people seeking asylum with respect and humanity. Details at CAPSA Webinar: National Week of Prayer and Action – Journeying Together with Refugees and People Seeking Asylum | Humanitix 

The Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office has a range of timely resources for 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 - 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 (catholic.org.au)