CAPSA Newsletter: August 2024

Dear CAPSA Community,

Thank you as always for your continued support. Over the past weeks many of you may have been watching the Olympics in Paris – an event enabling the coming together of many nations, talented athletes, and their supporters. Amongst many stories of achievement and personal bests, was the historic first medal by the IOC Refugee Olympic Team – achieved in women’s boxing by Cindy Ngamba.

“She has demonstrated to the world what refugees can achieve; she has been an inspiration to a population of more than 120 million people and given light to our stories, our journeys. For that we are forever grateful.”
Masomah Ali Zada, Chef de Mission, Paris 2024 Refugee Olympic Team

The enormous achievements of the Refugee Olympic Team members reflect what is possible for individuals when provided with opportunities and support to pursue their personal goals, despite numerous challenges.

“This will be a symbol of hope for all refugees in the world and will make the world better aware of the magnitude of this crisis. It is also a signal to the international community that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society.”
Thomas Bach, IOC President

As the Olympics come to a close, this week also sees groups of people seeking asylum and their advocates voicing their protests outside the Sydney office of the Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke and the Melbourne Home Affairs Department about the ongoing uncertainty of their immigration status in Australia. While changes earlier in the year enabled 19,000 people on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs) to apply for a permanent Resolution of Status visa (ROSV), for those 10,000 others who arrived by boat after 13 August 2012 – and had their cases assessed and rejected under the now abolished ‘Fast Track” system – their status continues to be temporary with bridging visas or no visas at all.

Most have waited more than a decade for resolution and a sense of certainty – without access to Medicare, work rights, or to education and training. A process which has denied them the opportunity to pursue their personal goals and contribute to society in a productive way.

Amongst those are individuals and families who have experienced long-term detention (the detrimental impacts of which have been well documented) and are from countries with continuing human rights concerns (including Iran which Australia has placed sanctions on due to its treatment of women). Human Rights Law Centre legal director Sanmati Verma said Australia had “one of the most complicated and bureaucratic systems of migration and asylum that exists in the whole world…[a] system ..intended to weaponize legal status, to create all sorts of legal statuses based on arbitrary distinctions: how people arrived in the country, when they arrived in the country, on which visa they arrived.” (ABC News, 15/8/24)

A decade on, our work as advocates for a humane immigration process continues.

While the number of displaced people worldwide continues to increase significantly amidst ongoing conflicts and human rights abuses – we continue to call for the end to Australia’s offshore processing policy (and its exorbitant financial, psychological and physical costs), resolution for the legacy caseload of more than 10,000 people still awaiting certainty, and a more humane process for those seeking asylum in Australia as required by our international Convention obligations. This includes at a minimum access to work rights, safe accommodation, Medicare, and support for basic living needs whilst awaiting resolution of protection visa applications and administrative reviews.

Join CAPSA during our National Week of Prayer and Action 16-20 September – ‘Journeying together with Refugees and People Seeking Asylum’ – to reflect, discuss, and act together.

In the remainder of this newsletter you’ll find other recent updates, a list of upcoming events and actions, and recommended reading, watching and listening.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us with your stories, thoughts or community actions via info@capsa.org.au.

In hope and solidarity,

The CAPSA team

CAPSA: 11th anniversary since announcement: people arriving by boat seeking asylum would never be resettled in Australia(19 July 2024)

More than a decade since the Federal Government’s resumption of offshore processing for people seeking asylum who arrive in Australia by boat – a damaging policy which remains active today CAPSA continues to call on the Federal Government to permanently end offshore detention, extend permanent protection pathways, and provide resolution for those who continue to await sanctuary.
More than 70% of the 3129 people detained on Manus Island and Nauru after the policy implemented on 19 July 2013 were found to be owed refugee protection. Singling them out for harsh treatment as an example to others has so far cost Australian taxpayers more than $10 billion and seriously undermined Australia’s reputation.
In June 2023, the last detainee was transferred from Nauru and the offshore processing centre was closed. Reopened in September 2023 to a ‘new’ cohort of people seeking asylum transferred there – approx. 100 people currently.
In Papua New Guinea, 47 refugees and people seeking asylum with their partners and young children – reside with limited rights, significantly deteriorated physical and mental health after years of detention and uncertainty, facing increasing threats to their security – and continued uncertainty about their future. All are reliant on charity to cover their basic needs, accommodation and access to health care – funds which are increasingly scarce as they await promised Government funding.

“Australia’s offshore detention system has inflicted horrendous cruelty upon, and caused immense harm to, adults and children who have sought our protection. This is in clear violation of our responsibilities, and in contrast to our reputation as a just society. All people seeking asylum deserve a safe and secure future, not continued periods of uncertainty, fear and a life in limbo.”
Julie Edwards, CAPSA Convener

“Nothing is being gained by continuing the suffering of the 1029 refugees who still have no resolution after 11 years. While some have current applications for resettlement other countries, many have no practical prospects for resettlement outside of Australia because their relocation will result in family separation.”
Paul Power, CEO, Refugee Council of Australia

Continuing critical situation in PNG

On 2^nd July 2024 it was revealed Australia will now provide “further capability support and funding to PNG to assist its continued independent management and resolution of the residual caseload” of people transferred to PNG from Manus Island prior to 1 January 2022.
PNG had threatened that the remaining caseload of people would be sent back to Australia unless further funding was provided. Details of the new deal (amounts and timeline) or further resettlement plans (either permanent or temporary) are not available – and there is concern about their wellbeing in the immediate circumstances.
Reliant upon charity for all living costs – funds of which are depleting – this remaining group of refugees are living in critical conditions many with significantly deteriorated mental and physical health.
The situation for this group deteriorated significantly when on 31 December 2021, the Australia – PNG arrangement (offshore processing of protection applicants at the Manus Island processing centre) ended – the PNG Supreme Court in 2016 had found it unlawful. Following closure of the centre and transfer of people to Port Moresby, a management and funding deal was agreed to for the continued support of the remaining refugees and asylum seekers in PNG until long-term resolutions were identified.
When the Australian funding was spent within the first 6 months, allegations of misuse of funds were raised, further funding was not provided. For the remaining 47 refugees and people seeking asylum with their partners and young children in PNG, their situation became critical without access to essential services, unable to meet their basic needs and reliant on charitable support. The deteriorated mental health status of several of the men is so significant they are unable to advocate for themselves and their wellbeing.
Their situation was exacerbated by deteriorating security in Port Moresby in January 2024 – riots targeting foreign-owned businesses, including those run by refugees, led to an increase in trauma and depression among the affected individuals.
The RCOA has led advocacy for resettlement options of those remaining in PNG, and to ensure adequate support (financial assistance, enhanced security, access to medical services) is provided until resettlement occurs – a process which has been slow and could still take years. The “Operation Not Forgotten” initiative aimed to facilitate an expedited process. Despite these efforts, the ongoing crisis in PNG threatens the welfare of those awaiting resettlement, raising concerns about their ability to settle successfully in their new homes.
Slow resettlement has led to poor mental health, and a sense of despair and hopelessness about the future. This is now impacting the families of the remaining men, many who were brought to Port Moresby after years of separation, with the hope they would soon be resettled to third countries as a family unit (ASRC, July 2024).
The recent report of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) – ‘Cruelty by Design: the health crisis in offshore detention’ – highlights the significant and detrimental physical and psychological impacts of long-term detention on individuals, and their capacity to advocate and care for themselves and their families. The report shines a critical view of the current context for offshore detainees in PNG and Nauru.
The ASRC has launched a campaign calling for the urgent evacuation of those remaining in PNG and the 96 protection applicants on Nauru. Immediate evacuation to Australia would enable access to urgently needed medical assistance and trauma support services while awaiting resettlement and resolution of their uncertain futures. Access further information and to sign the petition here

“There is absolutely no justification for keeping already severely traumatised individuals in an environment consistently described as ‘hell’ and ‘the Island of Despair’ (Nauru) simply to obtain electoral advantage.”
Dr Barri Phatarfod, Doctors for Refugees

“A small group are acutely mentally unwell and unable to care for themselves or consent to receive support of any kind. Without electricity, food and medical care they are terrified, paranoid, frail, living in squalor and unable to communicate coherently.”
Heidi Abdel-Raouf, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Refugee Week (16-22 June 2024)
The week-long event to advocate on issues faced by refugees and people seeking asylum, provided a platform for the sharing of stories, and acknowledging the experiences and contributions of refugees to Australia, and continued challenges. Events occurred across Australia.
Various events were held throughout Australia focusing on the theme: ‘Finding Freedom: Family’ – highlighting the pivotal role of families in the lives of refugees.
Fr. Andy Hamilton SJ offered a reflection in relation to the crisis in Gaza, which can be read here.
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) marked Refugee Week with a renewed call for a robust response to the global refugee crisis and stressed the need for Australia to play an even greater role in constructively responding to the increasing displacement of people across the world.
“Our first concern in war must be the people who are affected by it. These include those in Israel and Gaza who have lost their lives, lost family, lost health and lost spirit. Too many children, women and men have been killed, lost family members, lost homes, hospitals and mosques, lost the ability to build home and community, and are threatened by famine and the loss of hope.”
Fr. Andy Hamilton SJ
“We have seen an increase in concern among the Australian public in response to conflicts in Gaza and Israel, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Middle East,” ..“The overwhelming call is for Australia to do more to help people fleeing these crises of violence and war.”
Paul Power, Refugee Council Of Australia

Other News and Updates
The recent Federal Ministry reshuffle with the appointment of Tony Burke as Minister for Home Affairs, Cybersecurity, and Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, supported by Matt Thistlethwaite as Assistant Minister for Immigration and Julian Hill as Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. We acknowledge the contributions of the former Minister Andrew Giles to the portfolio – in particular the increase in the numbers of Humanitarian visa places, the resolution of status visa processing for those who have been on long term Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs), and the launch in July of the Multicultural Framework Review Report ‘Towards fairness – a multicultural Australia for all’.
An NGO statement presented at global consultations to discuss resettlement and complimentary pathway options called on states to maintain and expand resettlement and complementary pathways programs. The NGO statement noted resettlement’s vital role in providing a lifeline for refugees at greatest risk in hosting countries, particularly LGBTQI+ refugees in countries where same-sex intimacy is criminalised, women and girls experiencing sexual and gender-based violence, people with disabilities and complex health needs, and other refugees facing imminent danger.
UNHCR released a report on regional displacement and statelessness trends in Asia and the Pacific, with the number of people the agency is mandated to assist reaching 15.7 million by the end of 2023, a 10% increase from 2022.
Refugee Council has released a report on Australia’s strategy to enhance refugee protection in Southeast Asia, where there are over 400,000 refugees and asylum seekers facing significant humanitarian challenges.  “Australia has the unique opportunity to build on the momentum of this global platform and provide pathways to safety, not only through the Humanitarian Program but through alternative options.” Paul Power, RCOA.
Read about the positive impacts of sport by Yusra Mardini, Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR – ‘What I Learned About the Power of Sports as a Refugee Olympian’.
‘Regional Australians have opened their hearts to refugees – we should open pathways to match’. Read further about the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) and how local communities are providing welcome and settlement support. Listen to the 7am podcast to hear about the challenges and benefits of the CRISP program.
‘Housing crisis hits refugee families hard’ – for refugee families, who often live in multi-generational households, it can be harder to find a home, especially in regional areas.
Read further details as to what the 2024-2025 Federal Budget means for refugees and people seeking humanitarian protection at Refugee Council of Australia

Upcoming Events and Actions
Singing Vigil:  Love Makes a Way
Join the ecumenical Christian group ‘Love Makes A Way’ to advocate for the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia – in particular highlighting the current plight of refugees in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
When: Friday 16th August, 5.30-6.30pm
Where: The steps of St Paul’s cathedral, Melbourne
Events/Webinar: National Week of Prayer and Action
Join CAPSA’s annual National Week of Prayer and Action from 16-20 September to explore ‘Journeying together with Refugees and People Seeking Asylum.’ A webinar will be held with a panel of speakers sharing how they accompany refugees and people seeking asylum. Recognizing that the journey for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia continues to be extremely challenging and disempowering, join the discussion as to how each of us can be companions on the journey to finding sanctuary for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Webinar: Wednesday 18^th September 7.00pm
For further information:  https://capsa.org.au    or facebook.com/joincapsa
Film: Searching for Sanctuary
‘I want to document the untold stories of my people to give voice to the voiceless. To express my feelings, I choose photography as the medium of expression.’ – Barat Ali Batoor
Award-winning documentary photographer Barat Ali Batoor reveals his personal journey as a Hazara asylum seeker – from his homeland of Afghanistan to his perilous life in exile – capturing the untold stories of what it means to be an asylum seeker searching for sanctuary.
When: Saturday, 1 June 2024 – 10:00am–Sunday, 6 October 2024 – 6:00pm
Where: Keith Murdoch Gallery, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne
Conference: Rural Australian for Refugees
Communities Shaping Change, the Rural Australians for Refugees 2024 National Conference
The RAR biennial conference brings together RAR members, people with lived experience as refugees and in seeking asylum, and activists from throughout the refugee rights movement, to share insights and success stories and to forge plans for the vital work across regional Australia of welcoming refugees and re-shaping Australia’s story as one of welcome. Behrouz Boochani will speak at the conference opening about the need for refugee movements to connect with activist networks across the country to build momentum and create change.
When: October 11-13, 2024, Kyneton (Macedon Ranges), Victoria
Where: Kyneton Town Hall (Friday evening), Sacred Heart College (Saturday and Sunday)

Recommended
Reading…
Across the Seas: Australia’s Response to Refugees: A History – Klaus Neumann
Today, Australia’s response to asylum-seeking ‘boat people’ is a hot-button issue that feeds the political news cycle. But the daily reports and political promises lack the historical context that would allow for informed debate. Have we ever taken our fair share of refugees? Have our past responses been motivated by humanitarian concerns or economic self-interest? Is the influx of ‘boat people’ over the last fifteen years really unprecedented? By exploring the ways in which politicians have approached asylum-seeker issues in the past, Neumann aims to inspire more creative thinking about current refugee and asylum-seeker policy.
You can purchase the book through this link here
Watching…
Manua
This 2019 film shines a light on the plight of hundreds of asylum seekers detained by the Australian Government on Manus Island in PNG for over 6 years. An Official Selection at numerous film festivals both in Australia and internationally receiving several Best Documentary and Best Director awards and nominations. Manus also qualified for selection at the 2020 Academy Awards in the Documentary Short category.
Learn more about the film: Manus (refugeecouncil.org.au)
Listening…
7am Podcast: ‘I have eyes, but I don’t see’, the Community groups helping refugees settle.’
At Sydney Airport on a muggy night in 2022, a group of volunteers from Sydney’s northern beaches wait to greet a family of refugees they have never met. They’re part of an ambitious new pilot program in which a sponsoring community acts as a safety net for refugees rather than government-funded services. But two years on, the programs successes are hitting constraints. Cheyne Anderson on whether the experiment is a sustainable pathway to settlement, or a shortcut to positive government PR.
Listen to the podcast here