Ruth Halbert
artist, weaver
Paper boat Rud.jpg

Blog: Dear Prime Minister

On July 30 2016 I started writing letters to the Prime Minister of Australia to protest against the imprisonment and torture of the asylum seekers in the offshore detention centres of Manus Island and Nauru. I started with the intention of writing a letter a day for every person in detention until they are all freed. There are more than 1800 asylum seekers in off shore detention. These are those letters and any response from Mr Turnbull.

Peaceful protest on Manus

Dear Prime Minister,

“Hundreds of refugees are protesting peacefully in Manus prison camp. This protest is completely peaceful and we refugees are asking Australia and PNG to stop pressuring us to leave the prison camp and accept settlement in PNG. I’m sure the local Manusian people are supporting this protest because they do not agree with this cruel policy. During the past week Immigration cut the power and water in Foxtrot compound which is the largest compound in Manus. At the same time, several refugees have been attacked when they have gone outside the camp into the Manus community. We are not safe outside the fences, and Immigration are trying to make like impossible for us inside. We are protesting peacefully for our human rights, and to call on Australia to uphold its commitments to offer us protection as refugees. The Australian government must provide us with resettlement in a safe country.”
— Behrouz Boochani
Protest at Manus RPC, August 1 2017. Photo: Behrouz Boochani

Protest at Manus RPC, August 1 2017. Photo: Behrouz Boochani

When will you answer Behrouz Boochani, the refugees Australia has forcibly detained on Manus and the people of Manus Island? When will Australia uphold its commitments to refugees? When will Australia provide all refugees on Manus Island and Nauru with safe resettlement?

Bring them here.

danger, liesRuth HalbertManus Island, human rights, refugeesComment