Letter Writers meet with Nizza Siano from Labor for Refugees
The Letter Writers’ February meeting kicked off with a wonderful and very knowledgable guest speaker. Nizza Siano is the National Secretary of... Read More
Where it all began for BMRSG
I’m sure many of you who have been with BMRSG over the years will remember the old logo. BMRSG was the result... Read More
Enough is Enough
Join fellow BMRSG members in a vigil outside Susan Templeman’s Windsor electoral office at 10 am on Saturday July 19 to protest... Read More
Author Talk – Safdar Ahmed
An enthusiastic crowd gathered at Lawson Convent Hall on Sunday 4 December to hear Zac Quinn interview Safdar Ahmed author of the... Read More
Covid-19 and immigration detention
During the pandemic, immigration detention centres have become more crowded. Despite many guards living in Covid-19 hotspots, there are no extra precautions... Read More
Life in the community after 10 years in detention – BMRSG Helps
Mandeep* was in detention for nearly 10 years. During his time at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, his mental health and the injuries he suffered fleeing civil war at home slowly worsened. BMRSG volunteers visited Mandeep during this time, campaigned for his release and are now supporting him in the community as he transitions from detention to living in and negotiating his way around Sydney. Find out how BMRSG supports those who come seeking safety.
Susan Templeman’s speech Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 Second Reading Speech
Member of Macquarie, Susan Templeman's speech opposing the repeal of the Medivac legislation.
MIGRATION AMENDMENT (REPAIRING MEDICAL TRANSFERS) BILL 2019 SECOND READING SPEECH
Since the Medevac laws passed in February, against the government's wishes, 110 refugees and asylum seekers have been transferred to Australia for medical treatment.
In a submission to a Senate inquiry examining the government's bid to unwind the laws, Dr Kerryn Phelps points out that about 80 per cent of cases were agreed to by the minister at the first instance and none have been refused on security grounds.
"The process is working as intended - an orderly system providing medical treatment for sick refugees in a timely manner," Dr Phelps said.
Behrouz Boochani’s literary prize acceptance speech – full transcript
This is a transcript of the speech Behrouz Boochani delivered via video link on 31 January 2019
When I arrived at Christmas Island six years ago, an immigration official called me into the office and told me that they were going to exile me to Manus Island, a place in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I told them that I am a writer. That same person just laughed at me, and ordered the guards to exile me to Manus.
Until when: The forgotten men of Manus Island
This joint report by the Refugee Council of Australia in partnership with Amnesty International, tells the story of the men who have been sent by Australia to Manus Island, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and what has happened to them after they were forcibly removed from the ‘regional processing centre’ on Manus Island one year ago.
Executive summary
"The system the Australian government has designed for refugees and asylum seekers, has a kind of evil and devastating effect. It can ruin the very inner strength of human spirit. To the outsider, Fariborz [Karami] took his own life [on Nauru in June 2018], but the truth is the system took his life. There is no alternative explanation, and we must hold
the Australian government accountable for this action.
‘Do not abandon us’ Behrouz Boochani tells audience in Wentworth Falls
Behrouz Boochani, the Kurdish Iranian journalist and award winning autho, discussed his recently published memoir No Friend But the Mountain: Writing From Manus Prison at the Wentworth Falls School of Performing Arts last Saturday. Mr. Boochani fled from Iran to seek refuge in Australia but was instead sent to offshore detention on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea. Mr. Boochani is a vocal advocate for Kurdish people and all refugees and asylum seekers. Mr. Boochani Skyped in from East Lorengu, the refugee accommodation on Manus Island where he currently resides, and received a standing ovation from audience members, before talking about his memoir and his time in detention.