DIMIAProtest Melbourne 7 SeptThe Refugee Action Collective organised Melbourne's contribution to a National Day of Action to demand compensation for Vivian Alvarez Solon and an end to forced deportations...
From the RAC-Vic flyer:
"In 2001 Immigration Department officers mistakenly deported Vivian Alvarez Solon , an Australian citizen, to the Philippines. At the time, she had serious physical injuries and was psychologically unwell.
"Like so many asylum seekers DIMIA has deported, Vivian was dumped: No arrangements were made for her on her return to the Philippines and no concern was shown for her safety or welfare.
"The Australian Government has so far refused to give Vivian Alvarez Solon a guarantee that she will have government support after six months. Vivian is asking to be given the certainty of knowing that she won't be a burden on her children if she returns.
"Minister Vanstone's mean-spirited response demonstrates the lack of real cultural change in her Department and shows how shallow and hypocritical the Government's "change of heart" is.
"Demand the Australian Government take responsibility for its actions: We want real compensation for Vivian and an end to forced deportations of asylum-seekers to dangerous countries."
Speakers at the protest were Tony Iltis, from RAC-Vic, Pamela Curr, from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and Melba Marginson, from the Centre for Philippine Concern. Tony Iltis gave a summary of the case, also making the point that the frequently-mentioned racist or hostile culture of DIMIA is not an isolated phenomenon, but derives from the racist policies DIMIA oficers are required by the Government to implement.
Pamela Curr referred to the recent attempted - and illegal - deportation of a detainee of five-years' standing while UNHCR was reconsidering his case and the attempted suicide of another detainee the previous night(Tuesday)- the man was terrified he also was about to be deported as his friend had been the night before.
It seems it is now practice for refugees to be 'asked' to call in at the DIMIA office for a routine 'interview' only to find themselves confronted by ASIO officers and a full-on grilling - 4 hours in one recent case.
Melba Marginson was highly critical of the delay in bringing Vivian back: the important thing is to get her home and into treatment and there was no need to wait for the legal haggling over terms to be conclude first - though of course it is in the Government's intrest to dealy her return as long as possible since her physical presence at rallies such as this would have a devasting public relations impact.
The protest was quite small: thanks to the Demons of Dimia what began as a fine sunny morning turned into a blustery, cold and wet experience for police (including six on horses) and protesters alike. Apart from the leaflet quoted above, members of the public were invited to take a mini-questionnaire on Australian Governemnt letterhead including the questions:
- Do you carry your passport everywhere you go?
- Were you born in Australia?
- Can you name the nearest mountain to your birthplace?
- What other proof of citizenship are you carrying? (NB Driver's licences and medicare cards not accepted.)
By PC posted 12 September 05
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