What is our crime?
Dear Prime Minister,
On the last day of 2017 remember the men on Manus and the men, women and children on Nauru. Abdul Aziz from Manus asks:
“Just take a minute from your time
and count with me
how many years and why?
What did we do?
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
and now 2018.
What is our crime
for being detained
and why
we’re still detained?
This is happening now in Australia?
We are in 21st century”
How do you answer?
Behrouz Boochani wishes for justice. Will you give it to him?
“I would like to say happy new year to all of my friends who support us. It’s the fifth Christmas and new year we have spent here. It’s been a long journey and I know many people have become tired from what the Australian government is doing on Manus and Nauru, but I hope 2018 is a year of freedom and justice for all refugees. We definitely could not have survived until now without your support. I wish for a year of justice and peace for people around the world.”
These questions have been asked since offshore detention was re-started in 2013. This is my 521st letter to you, Prime Minister. The refugees deserve answers now. Your silence condemns you.