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.

Letters to Tyranny #75

Dear Prime Minister,

What is your response to the recent report of the Australian Human Rights Commission in which the President, Professor Gillian Triggs, writes:

"The recent election of a new Federal Government provides an opportunity to consider alternatives to third country processing that will both secure Australia's sovereign borders and provide refugees with protection consistent with their human rights"?

Can you lead the change in Australia's approach to offshore detention by ending the false premise that our borders can only be safe if we lock refugees up indefinitely? Your stand on Monday with Bill Shorten to denounce racial intolerance in any form is very welcome. Please continue.

Yours faithfully,

Ruth Halbert

politics, activismRuth Halbertrefugees, human rights, bringthemhereComment