REFUGEE

Australian refugee rights activist, and Socialist Party member, Anthony Main will visit the 254 Tamil refugees currently moored at Merak in Indonesia today.Anthony was an organiser and active participant in the 2002 Woomera protests where dozens of refugees escaped from detention.Anthony has been invited to the boat by the refugees who have been frustrated that the media have been denied access to them for more than a week. He will be accompanied by representatives from the Indonesian trade union movement and human rights lawyers.
The group will discuss the dispute with the refugees and also deliver urgent supplies including tarpaulins to protect them from worsening weather.

Socialist Party National Organiser Anthony Main said today “The way Rudd is treating these people is despicable. After doing a dirty deal with the Indonesian government Rudd wants to try and isolate them and hide the issue from the Australian public.

“These people are now aware of the deal that the Australian government did with the refugees who were on board the Oceanic Viking. What they are asking for, at the least, is similar treatment.

“After giving support to the murderous Rajapaksa regime Rudd now wants to wash his hands of the problems facing the Tamils in Sri Lanka. These people have made clear that if they are deported back to Sri Lanka their lives will be in danger. Rudd needs to act quickly and allow these people safe passage to Australia.

“I will be investigating the situation and reporting back to trade unions and other progressive organisations in Australia. The Socialist Party will do all we can to build support and extend solidarity to Tamils fleeing persecution.” Anthony said.