News & Stories
Australian health groups urge government to lift detention centre “gag”
Australia’s peak health professional bodies are voicing collective concern about the appalling secrecy provisions in the Australian Border Force Act 2015 which threaten jail for up to two years for health and medical professionals who disclose information about the conditions in immigration Detention Centres. They said in a…
Read MorePope calls for forgiveness of those who close doors on refugees
Some of the bluntest lines spoken during refugee week came from Pope Francis. Speaking to the crowd in St Peter’s Square during Refugee Week, he noted the increasing number of people who are displaced inside their own nations or have fled from war and persecution across borders, and…
Read MoreWorld Refugee Day: stars, refugees, grandmothers, yarnbombers and more join call to “stop the cruelty”
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum urges local Catholic communities to come out in support of the Refugee Advocacy Network’s World Refugee Day event for Melbourne this Sunday 21 June 2015. Sister Brigid Arthur of the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project said: “The message of the day is…
Read MoreCatholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) officially launched
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has been officially launched at the start of World Refugee Week, which runs from June 14 to 20. Backed by leading Catholic peak organisations and convened by Jesuit Social Services, CAPSA aims to change hearts and minds across Australia in…
Read MoreCall for action to help persecuted Rohingya people
The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office is calling for action to help the tragic situation for persecuted Rohingya people fleeing Myanmar. The Rohingya people are fleeing Myanmar to escape government persecution and the denial of their citizenship. Many are stranded at sea in unstable boats off the…
Read MoreRefugee week 2015
Refugee week is a time for looking at big pictures and little pictures. This year the big picture is bleak. The number of people who flee across land borders to escape war and persecution has grown, especially in the Middle East and in Africa. They are often escaping…
Read MoreGood order bill would see people in detention more vulnerable
The government continues to introduce harsh policies for people seeking asylum with its introduction of the Good Order Bill, giving officers unprecedented powers. The Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities Bill 2015 seeks to ensure ‘good order’ in detention centres by permitting authorised officers to use ‘reasonable force’…
Read MorePope’s support for asylum seekers remains strong
Since his first official papal visit to Lampedusa, Pope Francis’ efforts to promote compassion for people seeking asylum has inspired hope and unity around the world. Pope Francis’ unfailing support for people fleeing persecution has been evident since his election. With his first official papal visit taking him…
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