Sydneysiders rally for asylum seekers

A protest on Sydney’s Lee Street on November 9 saw a mixed crowd demand the 248 Tamil asylum seekers aboard the vessel at Merak, Indonesia and the 78 aboard the Oceanic Viking be brought to Australia.

Spokesperson for the asylum seekers at Merak, ‘Alex’, addressed the protesters by phone link and said there was no future for his people in Indonesia.

They listened intently as Alex explained the asylum seekers’ motivations for refusing to leave the boat. He said one reason is they know Indonesia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention.

“We cannot trust the Indonesian government to take care of us or protect us. We need our issues addressed,” Alex said.

Following the Federal Government’s offer to quickly resettle those who enter an Australian-funded detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, 22 of those on board the Ocean Viking have since disembarked.

Spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, Ian Rintoul, said the Australian government was trying to pressure third countries to take the asylum seekers that are Australia’s responsibility.

“It’s no wonder New Zealand said no. Mr Rudd should stop bullying Indonesia and the Philippines and start living up to his claim to be humane towards refugees,” Rintoul said.

The Federal Government has told those who got off the vessel their claims for asylum will take no longer than three months to process.

But Prime Minister Kevin Rudd rejected suggestions any of the new detainees would automatically be resettled in Australia.

“Individuals will be sent where … vacancies exist around the world,” he said.

The Refugee Action Coalition will hold another protest on November 29 at Town Hall.

– By Megan PALIN