Is Australia Ending The Pacific Solution? (Read how you can help!)

Editor's Note: How massive and incalculable the infinite harm that has been done to the people of this world as a result of the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq!! - LMB

Australian Prime Minister John Howard won the 2001 Election by keeping refugees out of Australia with a brutal policy chillingly named The Pacific Solution. Families fleeing persecution in were prevented from seeking asylum in Australia and were either turned back by the Navy or imprisoned off shore. It was a costly, cruel, shell game. A vicious conjuring trick in which refugees were supposed to vanish from the public consciousness. But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. The Howard Government underestimated the decency and compassion of the Australian people and now it appears that John Howard is trying to win the 2004 Election by a reversal of his last election campaign and is letting refugees into Australia, and children out of on shore detention faster than you can say �Razor Wire�.

146 Afghans held on Nauru will be in the Australian community when the third group of Afghan refugees will arrive in Brisbane today (Tuesday July 13, 2004) earlier groups arrived on the Australian Mainland on June 29 and July 6. All were Asylum Seekers forcibly taken to Nauru by the Australian Navy and held there for almost three years. Australians appalled by the harsh policies of their government managed to make contact with these people through emails and letters and friendships grew, and supporters refugee supporters united to ensure these people could not be forgotten.

Canberra-based Migration Agent Marion L�, who received prestigious Human Rights Medal for 2003, and her support workers have provided pro-bono legal help for these incredibly isolated asylum seekers and helped deliver justice and fair process to them.

A volunteer a the Romero Centre in Brisbane, reports that refugee supporters are concerned for these newest refugees released from mind destroying detention on five year temporary visas. They are barred from normal settlement services including the Adult Migrant English Program, denied the normal freedom to travel and are not eligible to sponsor wives and children they were forced to leave behind three years ago.�We say give them a fair go, grant them humanitarian visas and let them stay. The temporary visas introduced in October 1999 have been an increase and extension of the refugees torment and has damaged our whole society� she said. Frederika Steen speaks with the authority of experience she was Chief Migration Officer, Australian Embassy Bonn/Berlin 1997/2000 and the Romero Centre which is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy has more than three years been helping refugees on temporary visas who are now after 3 and 4 years, finally being granted permanent residence. Hassan Ghulam, linguist and President of the Hazara Ethnic Society in Australia is also a volunteer at the Romero Centre and today he thanked the significant and growing refugee support movement and all the compassionate Australians who have unrelentingly fought for justice for refugees.

�You have believed them and their genuine claims of persecution and fear of return. You understand that imprisoning innocent refugees is wrong. Your continuing support gives us hope that these refugees too, will be allowed to stay and live in peace and freedom in this wonderful country�, he said.

It is particularly sad that in a country which proports to be a democracy which champions human rights and freedom of speech that the press have never been permitted to visit of report on the detention centres of The Pacific Solution. And that the Romero Centre had to include this instruction in their media release. Journalists are requested to be particularly sensitive to the emotional fragility of many of the new arrivals. We believe them to be the most damaged refugees we have experienced. We understand the Department of Immigration (DIMIA) told the arrivals last September not to talk to you. Remember they are on temporary visas only, not permanent residents.

The media release also alerted the press to matters which remain unresolved. The Romero Centre's Frederika Steen also asked "What Next"?

The Arrival in Australia of 146 Afghan Refugees from Nauru Raises Questions:

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE 100 OR SO LEFT BEHIND, MOST OF WHOM ARE IRAQIS AND INCLUDE WOMEN AND CHILDREN
CAN AUSTRALIA CONTINUE WITH ITS POLICY OF INDEFINITE DETENTION, KNOWING FULL WELL THE DAMAGING EFFECT OF LONG TERM DETENTION ON INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO FLED FOR THEIR LIVES FROM TYRANNY, CHAOS AND CIVIL WAR?
CAN AUSTRALIA CONTINUE A FINANCIAL DEAL WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF NAURU, KNOWING THAT THE AUSTRALIAN DETENTION OPERATION HAS BECOME A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF NAURU GOVERNMENT INCOME AND LOCAL EMPLOYMENT, IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHER SOURCES?

Tampa

There are no �tampa refugees� among the current arrivals. the 433 people rescued by the good ship Tampa have been dispersed around the world: 187 to new zealand, which kindly enabled the family reunion of husbands in Australia with wives and children stranded on nauru; 187 others were driven by despair and misleading information into accepting return to country of origin, most of them to Afghanistan; 7 to sweden;2 to norway. Australia gave temporary � 5 year- visas to only 27, some of whom who came in september 2003 and still live in Brisbane. one young man died; 22 whose claims UNHCR recently reviewed were found to be refugees, resettlement countries have not yet been found for them.

The following memorandum was send to all Romero Centre Volunteers:

NAURU - NEW ARRIVALS- So we can be clear about whom we are helping; respect their expectations and needs; understand the nature, extent and limitations of our own role. Nauru represents a unique refugee experience � long time severe isolation, multiple traumas, a climate and culture of despair; different and highly political issues. The �Pacific Solution� is not over until the last asylum seeker is off the island. It remains political to the end.

These new arrivals are likely to be among the most fragile, vulnerable and traumatised we have ever welcomed; mental and physical health will need monitoring and ongoing support; some have indeed been � broken� by their experience and will need special long term care and support; the possible effects of the phosphate-filled environment need monitoring �do baseline blood and bone testing on arrival?

Recovery and rehabilitation is crucial in the �settlement� of these refugees. Yet, because of the temporary visa, real settlement is �on hold�. They will not forget the people they left behind. Some suffer �survivor guilt�. Some don�t talk of, let alone dwell on, the past � which is their way of coping. (Remember the men who came back from the wars, who never spoke, never went to the RSL or Anzac gatherings?)The healing process is delayed. How can you recover if you have no future? Plans are short term only. Part of our role is to support and build/ rebuild the resilience of these survivors, and to keep up the lobbying to reform the system that goes on damaging damaged people.

Institutional living in detention has undermined the independence and dignity of adults, and destroyed normal family life and particularly the role of parents; authority figures have been officials, not Mum and Dad; roles have been reversed, with children parenting sick parents. We must do what we can to help parents recover their roles � build them up, overcome any feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness. Beware of the empowerment of the �child interpreter� vis a vis their parents! Lack of English does not turn an adult into a child. Our relationships must be adult to adult.

Expect the predictable: separation from own immediate and extended family will preoccupy people. Be sensitive: we can�t displace their family. Search for family members remains foremost in their minds. We are �add-ons� � the new friends. We can certainly welcome them into our family- and be loved for that. But absent family comes first in their hearts and we need to be sensitive to the enormous and constant sense of loss and grief. Many have no current knowledge of their family � years of separation. It is gut wrenching. Listening and just being with our friends is important. We will need to recognise when some need professional help, and hand over.

Prepare for the emotional crash. The reality of the 5 year temporary visa will impact in a few weeks/months after arrival. Certainly by 6 months. This heralds a new level of grief, because the system does not allow family reunion. We must maintain the campaign to abolish temporary protection visas.

Priority on arrival will be communications-contacting friends and relatives, if possible. The Australia and world wide network is amazing. Donations of money to support this communication- telephone and e mail- will be empowering. They learn the system quickly- gain confidence and absorb the know how of friends in their ethnic community about best deals etc Accept and respect that re establishing contact with their own people is extremely important. It may be that pen pals will chose to go to another city and not to us. The adult choice is theirs. Disappointing as that may be for us.

Think about the nature of friendships that have developed through letter writing, e mails and telephone calls. They have been an absolute lifeline- a connection with real people who care. And, like all friendships, some may fade as circumstances change. Being out of detention and sort of free, is a major change of circumstance. Be aware that it has been an unequal relationship. We are free, they were not, and really are not now. Communication was/is in our language, not theirs. We are secure, they are not.

Think about the possible feelings of loyalty/dependency and obligation to Australian friends. We gave gladly, voluntarily? No need for obligation! Check on the cultural values of our friends � think about our own. There is undoubtedly deeply felt gratitude for the human kindness and generosity of the many faithful people who have written, sent telephone cards, sent gifts etc over the years. It will be lifelong, and it has been a most remarkable and unique expression of friendship and love. However, we need to be wary of feelings of �ownership� and dependency � both ways. We can�t �own� them any more than we �own� our adult children! And our refugee friends don�t �own� us to be their personal providers, carers and bankers! Keep the relationship healthy and sensible.

Cultural, language and lifestyle adjustments will be major. Adults will need to take control of their own lives again, and some may falter. We need lots of patience. Everything can be new/unfamiliar to our friends. It is hard to learn when you are confused, unhappy or not sleeping well. They are out of the habit of making decisions � and have to relearn the skills of independent living. Independence will be new for some � especially women! Be sensitive to spiritual needs. Many of these refugees were persecuted because of their religion and are devout believers. A Koran and prayer mat can be wonderful welcoming gifts from respectful friends. Bilingual dictionaries are always useful � you may need one!

We need to acquire as much knowledge and understanding as possible about the language, culture and religion of new arrivals. Much is available on the internet, and leadership within the ethnic community may be able and willing to assist. Check if there is an interfaith group you can contact. Draw on existing background information, settlement check lists, community contacts which have been developed for the settlement services for off shore refugees. Pool our resources � share them through the internet.

Check on the interpreter services available and the access to the languages of our friends. Learn how to use an interpreter/ telephone interpreter service. Be clear that people have the right to interpreting � and insist that the Telephone Interpreter Service is used by doctors if no on site interpreter is available. Do not rely of children or other amateurs � it is not fair and it may be very inaccurate and life endangering!

WHAT WILL DIMIA DO FOR NEW ARRIVALS?

1. Travel arrangements to destination, through IOM. Refugees are consulted on their preferred destination, but their choices are not guaranteed. Those without contacts in preferred destinations can be assigned to places other than Sydney and Melbourne. DIMIA State Offices may advise relatives/support groups of arrival details, when they know them. (Notice has been short in the past). Make contact with the DIMIA Office.

2. On arrival accommodation for one night; suitable clothing (not clear whether provided in Nauru or on arrival). IOM has been responsible under its contract for providing all with basic necessities. Winter clothing will be an issue- check with your DIMIA Office that it has been provided.

3. On arrival orientation session, link to Centrelink and application for Special Benefits, some initial payment; the opening of a bank account for electronic transfer of Special Benefits payments, using the hole in the wall; application for Medicare, Health Card ; introduction to or information about torture and trauma counselling service and introduction to community support groups like Romero Centre(where available). Make yourself know to the DIMIA Office

WHAT WILL THE COMMUNITY BE EXPECTED TO DO?
EVERYTHING ELSE!

On day two, refugees on temporary visas are on their own. They do not have access to normal settlement support services for migrants and refugees.

Their own ethnic/religious communities often lack infra structure and are struggling with their own settlement. The best integrated people are usually working. Refugee communities are usually at the bottom of the socio economic scale � poor and with minimal assets on arrival. Some are deeply indebted and paying off loans to sponsor relatives under the humanitarian program.

Individuals, and community groups like the Romero Centre organised in response to the needs of refugees on temporary visas, voluntarily fill in where Commonwealth settlement services are denied.

Initial help is needed with:

LOW COST ACCOMODATION/BASIC FURNITURE, BEDDING

UNDERSTANDING CONTRACTS/LEASE/HIRE PURCHASE

BOND/RENT ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS

ACCESS TO MEDICAL/DENTAL SERVICES

ACCESS TO COUNSELLING/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT /FAIR WAGE, SAFE CONDITIONS

ENROLMENT IN STATE FUNDED ENGLISH COURSES

SCHOOL ENROLMENT/CHILDCARE ENROLMENT

APPLICATION FOR STATE HOUSING LISTS

The personal, social and religious support is on going in the context of friendship and what good neighbours have always done. We learn from each other and our lives are enriched by the giving and the receiving.

The Romero Centre provides support to refugees on temporary protection visas. Established in 2000, we have been witness to the torment of life in limbo and strongly advocate for the abolition of temporary visas and an end to unnecessary indefinite detention of innocent refugees. Your donations will enable us to continue this work for as long as needed.

(Memorandum prepared by Frederika Steen, Romero Centre PO BOX 6115 Buranda, Queensland 4102 Tel 07 33932500, 17 June 2004. For more information on how you can help, write: romerocentre@bigpond.com or call +61 733 932 500)