Bring them here

THE Toowoomba Amnesty International Group urges compassionate Australians to add their voice to the outcry about the 600 seekers of asylum and refugees on Manus Island. We demand that the Australian Government ends their inhuman, degrading and futile treatment and allows them to come to Australia and New Zealand for medical treatment, processing and for those whose refugee status is determined, resettlement.

The current hiatus is a deplorable situation. There is no doubt that it diminishes Australia’s standing in the international community. An increasing proportion of Australians do not support the government’s position; this is apparent from the amount of media attention the issue is receiving and the pressure on the Prime Minister and his ministerial colleagues.

The New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made a constructive approach to the impasse by offering 150 places to people seeking asylum who are currently on Manus Island and Nauru.

The Australian Government will not consider NZ’s offer, at the same time accepting no responsibility for viable long-term alternatives. If Australia refuses to fulfil our obligations towards these men, what right do we have to turn down other options available to them?

We urge fellow citizens to join us in demanding that federal politicians act quickly to achieve a humane response by “bringing them here”. — BRYCE ALCOCK, Convenor, Amnesty International Toowoomba Group