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[former
Immigration Minister] Ruddock's hypocrisy is extraordinary in its
blatancy and its cold, calculating and spiritually dead mercilessness.
Take the following story:
In March 2003 Ruddock mentioned family reunion principles, but of course
- and as Australia's refugee advocates have come to expect - not while
referring to his own broken record of failures to abide by these UN provisions.
While speaking on the ABC's 7.30 Report about Ibrahim Sammaki, the heartbroken
Woomera detainee who lost his wife in the Bali bombing, he referred to
Indonesia's obligation under the family reunion provisions under the Convention
for the rights of the child.
Ruddock had the audacity to suggest that if Indonesia accepted residency
for the three motherless little children who were found to have lived
in an Indonesian prostitution residence after their mother's death, they
would also be obliged to take the father in, who has been denied this
compassionate privilege by Australia. Ibrahim has been incarcerated for
almost two years in Woomera. All his attempts to reunite his family in
Australia failed, which is the reason he took a boat to come here, hopefully
ahead of his wife.
And just now, in the week prior to Easter, Ruddock finds justification
in refusing a holiday visa for the little children, stuck in Indonesia.
Created by Ruddock in his calculating way, at all times claiming to protect
the immigration system of Australia, this inhuman situation will now result
in the children, Sara and Safdah, being banned to Indonesia without their
father, and Ibrahim eternally doomed to Baxter hell, ruled with a merciless
fist by Ruddock.
UK's first lady Cherie Blair summarized it aptly last week when she compared
the plight of asylum seekers to that of Jews in Nazi Germany, and that
Australia may not have the right to call itself democratic if asylum seekers
were denied human rights.
In their respective churches during this Easter, Ruddock and Howard will
no doubt feel well about themselves and their cosy family unions. But
one can imagine that hundreds of demonstrators at Baxter detention centre
could within this context be likened to one man, standing up, rolling
a tombstone away, and, with haste, taking action to right the wrongs of
Australia's atrocities in his own unique and radical way.
ACM
/ DIMIA beats detainees, orders them to stop singing
Reports have just been received from protesters at Baxter detention centre
that on Saturday evening detainees have been beaten by guards for singing
in chorus "Give us Freedom" in response to protesters at the
fence outside the centre, and ordered to stop singing, and ordered to
their rooms, some also being locked in 'solitary confinement' units.
Another
report claims that a detainee was beaten by a guard for speaking by phone
with one of their regular support contacts, who happened to be outside
amongst the protesters.
This report conflicts starkly with the explicit statements made by Minister
Ruddock in his press conference on Saturday, during which he claimed "that
life was 'as normal' in the centre," with detainees being able to
make phone calls to the outside world.
In today's press conference, the Minister now actually, for the first
time since 'the Tampa election', has admitted to the existence of 'solitary
confinement' rooms in Australian detention centres.
Just recently, Minister Chris Ellison, in replies to questions in Parliament,
flagrantly denied the existence of such spaces. Now we look forward to
the Minister altering the information on his section of the DIMIA website,
which informs the world that "solitary confinement" does not
exist in Australia's detention centres". The Minister now has to
stop manipulating this tiny aspect of the truth about what happens inside
these centres.
Illegal
kite flying: Taliban-style repression
Yesterday's police behaviour at the Baxter detention centre protests amounts
to a civilian control style fit for a dictatorship.
The arrest of a journalist on Saturday evening is evidence of that ridiculous
out-of-control behaviour of the 500 riot police around the centre, almost
outnumbering protesters.
Under a trumped-up construct as if flying kites above Baxter would be illegal,
oeople were arrested for flying kites in the hope detainees would see them,
but a legal support team member among the protesters reported that even
prosecuting police in Port Augusta were still scanning their books in the
hope they could make the charges and arrest stick.
This type of restriction is familiar for asylum seekers who lived under
the Taliban regime, where kite-flying was an offense, punishable perhaps
even by death.
The heavy-handed USA-style police overkill makes one wonder whether the
super-secure fences at Baxter are just made out of cardboard, in addition
to the whole exercise being an extreme waste of federal and state resources.
[South Australian Premier] Mike Rann's agenda in the handling of his hostile
federal opponents is appalling and must be questioned around Australia.
Journalist
detained at detention centre protest
ABC NEWS ONLINE
Sat, 19 Apr 2003 21:26 AEST
A journalist has been detained during a protest at the Baxter detention
centre.
The female journalist was detained by up to five police in riot gear, as
she attempted to make her way back from a restricted area facing the detention
centre.
Minutes before she had gone with a group of about 50 protesters as they
made their way on to crown land, after pushing down a small barbed wire
fence.
The journalist was escorted away by police and later telephoned her photographer
to tell him she was being taken to the Port Augusta police station but she
has not been charged.
Twelve protestors have been arrested over the past two days during clashes
at the centre.
Meantime, tensions appear to be escalating within the detention centre.
A constant chant of "we want freedom" can be heard coming from
inside the centre.
Police cars are circling the perimeter fence and officers in riot gear are
at the front gate.
Earlier today, an Immigration Department spokesman described the mood of
detainees as "relaxed".
Baxter:
Saturday morning report
Melbourne Indymedia
8:45pm Sat Apr 19 '03
We walked through the dust on Saturday morning down to the fence of the
detention centre to make some noise and let the detainees know we were there
in solidarity with them.
People left the campsite en masse at 10.30am and walked past the thin line
of riot police strung across the road. The police tried to confiscate flag
poles, banners and camera tripods (with the excuse that they were 'weapons'),
but most of the crowd pushed passed the line without having their gear taken.
We walked the kilometer-and-a-half to the detention centre stopping when
we came to the perimeter fence. The perimeter fence is a typical farm-style
fence - a combination of mesh and barbed wire no more than 4 feet high that
stands about 6 meters from the huge steel detention centre fence. The perimeter
fence came down in seconds, section by section.
There were around 200-300 police in riot gear spread out in front of the
centre. After sections of the fence started to come down they moved up to
try to stop people tearing down the fence and crossing the 'line' that it
supposedly marked. The crowd started to roll along the fence line towards
the front gate of the centre, all the while tearing at sections of the fence
and making as much noise as possible. The police responded with snatch squads;
small units of police that come charging into the crowd to pick off and
arrest individuals. The first person arrested was a legal observer. There
were quite a few snatch squad attempts but only a few 'successes.' More
often than not people would resist the police's attempts at arrest and force
them to retreat.
Solidarity
and Defiance in the Desert
Melbourne Indymedia
by Emma Murphy
8:27pm Sat Apr 19 '03
After months of planning, up to 800 people from across Australia have
converged on the Baxter Detention Centre, outside Port Augusta, to protest
against the government's newest, purpose-built detention centre, and show
solidarity with the refugees imprisoned inside.
The weekend of action began with a picnic in Port Augusta, where arriving
protesters were welcomed onto Bungala land by Linda Dare. Many local residents
attended the picnic, and links were made with various indigenous groups
which remained strong for the whole weekend.
The protest was attended by a range of people and organisations, including
Refugee Action Collectives from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide,
the Greens, No-one is Illegal, the Socialist Alliance, Chil-Out, and many
others. There was a representative from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in
Canberra, and elders from the Bungala, Kokatha, and Adnyamathanya nations
attended and expressed their support.
Once out of Port Augusta, the protesters resolved to set up camp as close
to Baxter as possible, walking unhindered through established police lines
and arriving within sight of the Detention Centre. Up to two hundred police
looked on while tents were pitched, and there was a positive, peaceful
atmosphere.
However, employing a tactic of intimidation and provocation, police in
riot gear and on horseback suddenly moved in. Tents were confiscated,
batons were used and people were arrested on minor charges such as swearing
at police. The police on horses where used to break up the camp. They
charged the tent site while people where still inside their tents causing
injuries to the protesters.
While this provocative attack on the camp was obviously intended to frighten
and demoralise the protest, a new camp was established, and the sense
of festivity and solidarity grew among all those present. Throughout the
camp were spontaneous political discussions, chanting in different languages
and plans for further actions throughout the weekend.
Saturday morning saw a vibrant and successful march to the gates of the
detention centre. The dehumanising, prison-like nature of Baxter did not
stifle mood of the protest which was peaceful, defiant, and colourful.
Despite
an enormous police presence, protesters sang and chanted, and despite
media hype and police expectations, people were very clearly there to
demonstrate, in a peaceful manner, their opposition to the Howard government's
inhumane treatment of refugees. Indeed, the small incidents of violence
were perpetrated by the police. "Snatch and grab" tactics were
employed, with groups of police running into the crowd and dragging protesters
back into their vans.
The
protest was a success, however. After three hours of plenty of noise,
the rally marched back through the dust to camp. The day concluded with
a Rock On Against Racism which included local bands and others from Melbourne.
From
Melbourne to Baxter
Melbourne
Indymedia
by Sparticus
8:47pm Sat Apr 19 '03
Buses departed Victorian Trades Hall at around 08:30pm. Stiff necks arrived
some time during the overnight journey. Buses arrived at a park in Port
Augusta, around 11:30am.
The buses were unable to take us any further, regulations requiring the
drivers drive no more than 14 hours - or 12 hours, depending on who you
listened to - and the police had sent word that driver logs would be checked
for any infringements. Great.
At the park, we were formally welcomed by members of the indiginous comunity,
after which a spokescouncil meeting was held to determine where and how
to camp. Facilitated discussion was attempted, everyone in a circular
formation talking one at a time, people offered potential camp sites and
others suggested pros and cons of the various possibilities. Difficult,
chaotic and frustrating would sum up the mood.
Forward members had scouted the area surrounding the detention centre.
Road blocks had been set up on the eastern and western approach. The indigenous
members requested that we avoid certain areas deemed sacred. At this point
a map was definitely needed, so someone drew one. But the map was considered
by some to be not very accurate ... sigh....
Eventually, it was pretty well agreed that the camp site would be at the
western police road block; just drive up, off-load and pitch. Signs had
been constructed recently stating 'No Camping Allowed,' but try telling
hundreds of campers they can't camp.
By word of mouth I later discovered there were tentative directions issued
by the police as to where we would be allowed to camp, after which not
so tentative mounted police stormed the camp ordering that the camp site
be moved further back from the detention center. Apparently one officer
gave someone a broken nose, and another protester was trodden on by one
of the horses.
The tail end of participants arrived after dark, setting up tents under
moonlight and finally settling in at around 9:30pm. Feeling exhausted,
I struggled out again, ate some tasty food provided by Food Not Bombs,
and followed people down to a noise action, aided by the dual lighting
of a near full moon and the sweeping spotlight of the police helicopter,
and accompanied by starlight.
Approximately 150 people provided a scene of colour, noise and movement
outside Baxter in front of a line of fully-clad riot police who in near
total contrast were all in dark outfits with black helmets and leg guards,
standing in still, stubborn silence. The police numbers were close to
those of the protesters.
After much noise and calls of, Freedom! Set the refugees free, and 'Azadi'
(farsi for freedom), and after much kicking and punching of the outer
gate of Baxter's main entrance, to a funky beat led by resonating drums,
of course, everyone made their way back to camp. Before we left though,
we had several moments of silence, a very piercing silence, listening
for any signs of the refugees. After no sounds could be heard, sad laughter
broke out when someone in the crowd suggested the refugees had all been
gagged. In
the week leading up to the convergence, reports came out that eight refugees
had been pre-empitively moved to solitary confinement and gagged as they
were considered potential escapees.
Seven
more arrests at Baxter Detention Centre
Sydney Morning Herald - AAP
April 19 2003
Seven people were arrested today after more than 350 protesters converged
on the Baxter Detention Centre, South Australian police said.
Police have so far made 12 arrests during protests which are expected
to continue over the Easter break.
Five men and two women were arrested today after breaking through a perimeter
fence and have been bailed to face Port Augusta Magistrates Court on June
2.
Police have so far made 12 arrests during protests which are expected
to continue over the Easter break.
Up to 500 demonstrators arrived in Port Augusta yesterday to rally against
the federal government's detention of asylum seekers.
Police and protesters clashed earlier today as parts of the fence were
flattened and demonstrators trespassed on commonwealth land.
The protesters spent around two hours just metres from the outside perimeter
of the Baxter centre and were held back by more than 100 police in riot
gear.
Protest spokesman Grant van Riessen told AAP that demonstrators had earlier
pushed through a police cordon about 10.50am (CST) before knocking down
parts of a temporary wire fence near the facility.
"There was a line-up of 40 to 50 police - it wasn't clear what their
intentions were but once we got through (the line) they searched our bags
and confiscated placards," Mr van Riessen said.
He said police had also confiscated an empty water tank which protesters
had rolled one kilometre to the front of the centre.
The protesters later left the scene to rest and eat lunch and more protests
are expected tonight.
"People are unsatisfied with what's happened and we are planning
more creative action tonight," Mr van Riessen said.
Assistant Commissioner Graham Brown said no SA police were injured during
the protests and morale was high "although they have had some difficult
times".
"Police officers are being purposely tripped and being surrounded
by protesters trying to intimidate them while they make arrests,"
he said.
Today a 28-year-old woman from Fairfield, Victoria, was arrested for trespassing,
a 28-year-old man from North Fitzroy, Victoria, was arrested for trespassing
and carrying an offensive weapon.
A 24-year-old man from Redfern, NSW, and a 27-year-old man from North
Fitzroy, Victoria, were arrested for property damage, a 24-year-old man
from Hurstville, NSW, was arrested for damaging property and trespassing.
Police said a 25-year-old man from Condell Park, NSW, and a 20-year-old
woman from Redfern, NSW, were arrested for flying a kite in a prohibited
area.
Five demonstrators were arrested yesterday afternoon, including a 33-year-old
woman from Burra, SA, for using offensive language and a 35-year-old man
of no fixed address for carrying an offensive weapon.
A 46-year-old man from Maidstone, Victoria, a 41-year-old man from Napperby
and a 29-year-old woman from Clovelly, NSW, were arrested for loitering.
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