Europe’s Refugee Crisis: Why Australia is NOT the Model
Date/Time
Date(s) - Mon 19 Oct 2015
18:30
Location
Manning Clark Centre, ANU
Categories
Our television screens nightly display the images of desperate people seeking safety and a better life in Europe – some eventually finding it while others are shut out or tragically perish in their attempt.
With Iraq and Syria in the throes of a long and violent war, Libya becoming increasingly unstable and on-going conflicts in Afghanistan, Sudan and elsewhere, millions of people around the world have been displaced. More than half of Syria’s population have been forced to move – either to elsewhere in their country or to another. This is a huge humanitarian crisis that requires a solution.
Many ordinary Europeans have welcomed refugees with food, clothing and offers of help. Even Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has recently stated, “My Europe takes in refugees. My Europe doesn’t build walls”. But at the same time the Hungarian government is erecting a 180km razor-wire fence to seal its border with Serbia, and has used tear gas and pepper spray on the people trying to cross it.
Australia, too, has built a wall – but at sea. The Australian Government has suggested that Europe follow its policy of “stopping the boats”. But if the “Australian model” was replicated in Europe where would these refugees possibly go? Back to Syria or Iraq? Would they be forcibly kept behind razor wire in poor regional countries and suffer abuse and further trauma? This is the reality of Australia’s policies on those in detention on Manus Island and Nauru. Following Australia would see European countries forcibly push back thousands fleeing for their lives with the cruel promise that they would never be given sanctuary.
This public forum will discuss the current situation in Europe, its relevance for Australia, and why the international right to seek asylum must be protected.
Speakers include Professor William Maley, Vice-President of the Refugee Council of Australia and member of the Australian Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific.
