What can you do?

Fight Dangerous Deportations

[See also:Eye witness account; Flood-of-letters campaign; Iranians on strike]

The forced deportation of an Iranian Christian asylum seeker has left his friends in shock and fears are held that the government will try to deport other long term Iranian asylum seekers.

A report undertaken by the Edmund Rice Centre entitled Deported to Danger reveals that asylum seekers have been returned to unsafe situations where their lives are in danger. In some cases people have been placed in countries with no legal status and without the knowledge or agreement of the relevant authorities, they live their lives in fear and hiding. Even worse others have dissapeared, been imprisoned, tortured or have died after being deported from Australia.

This constitutes a breach of Australia's obligations under international law, and an abuse of basic human rights.

What can you do?

• Emirates Airlines - A call to action against this airline, which seems to be quite happy to cooperate with the Australian government on forced deportations. Complaints will need to be made in writing to Emirate Airlines, Level 2, 257 Collins St., Melbourne City 3000.
• Use the following resources to become informed and learn the facts.
• Use this information as the basis of a letter to your local paper, or to contact talk back radio.
• Set up a meeting with your local MP, either individually or with representatives from your group, and let him or her know that forced deportations of the kind currently being undertaken by the Australian government are in breach of international law, and are a gross violation of human rights.
• Write, phone, e-mail politicians and put your view forward.
• Download and use the "No Deportations to Iran" petition
• Read and distribute the Edmund Rice Centre's Deported to Danger report.
• Take part in the Canberra Convergence 16th November 2004

Resources

Question Without Notice: Deportation of Asylum Seekers to Iran
Download: Edmond Rice Centre Report 'Deported to Danger'
Download: Interview transcripts 'Behind Deportations'
Download: Call to Action - Sisters of Mercy
Download: Petition No Deportations to Iran
Download - Sample Letter to Family First
Link to RAC Canberra Deportations info
Download - RAC NSW Media Release
Download - ASRC Media Release
Lobby The Family First Party
Flood-of-letters campaign
Politician Contact details
Take part in Baxter 05
Eye witness account
Media Contacts

Recent Reports

• UN chides Iran over human rights BBC News, Middle East - December 21, 2004
• Deportation raises fears for Iranian man The Age - October 16, 2004 by Andra Jackson
• Iran: Concern mounts for jailed Iranian Christian Iran Focus October 7, 2004 Compass News Agency
• Home is where the hurt is Sydney Morning Herald September 29, 2004 by Debra Jopson
• “Like the Dead in Their Coffins” Torture, Detention, and the Crushing of Dissent in Iran Human Rights Watch - June 2004
• Deportation Case Studies from the Coalition for the Protection of Asylum Seekers [RAC Canberra deportations]
• Nader's story: Sent back to Iran - and not seen again Refugee Action Collective Canberra

© Rural Australians for Refugees, 2002

For further information about RAR, please contact

Site engineering & design by Redback Graphix, contact