Faith in action
Refugee Week 2023
Explore our range of resources and ideas to help us, and our communities, go deeper in learning more and taking action for justice for people seeking asylum this Refugee Week (18-24 June).
Read moreDid you know one of the impacts of the recently passed Migration Bill is that it enables Minister Scott Morrison the power to deport 25 babies like Ferouz (pictured) who were born in Australia to asylum seeker parents, to the immigration detention centre in Nauru?
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There they face indefinite detention, with no possibility of resettlement in Australia regardless of how strong their claim to protection is.
The conditions in Nauru have been described as "inherently toxic" and "akin to torture" by the then-chief psychiatrist for offshore detention centres, Dr Peter Young. [1]
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, who represent the babies, have published an appeal to people of compassion to call on Mr Morrison and ask him to use his discretionary powers to keep these families here in Australia, and if found to be refugees, granted protection here.
Common Grace is joining with other concerned Australians in supporting these 25 vulnerable babies.
As followers of Jesus, who was himself a refugee baby, we believe that all asylum seekers deserve to be treated with respect and care while their applications for protection are assessed. We remember the words of Jesus, that when we welcome the least of these our brothers and sisters, we welcome Christ himself (Mt 25:38-40).
We're asking you to write a short letter to Mr Morrison, expressing support for those putting nonviolent love in action and joining their appeal to him to protect the babies and their families.
Click here to write to the Hon Scott Morrison to let the babies stay
References:
1. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/05/-sp-australias-detention-regime-sets-out-to-make-asylum-seekers-suffer-says-chief-immigration-psychiatrist
