Protest rallies across Australia call for closure of Pacific Island detention camps

Peaceful protesters gathered in large numbers in major Australian cities on Sunday in support of refugees to end forceful detention at the controversial Pacific island camps. The protests came after Australian government confirmed it was holding talks with the Philippine government to resettle refugees.

Large crowds gathered in Australian cities of Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to voice their protests against the hardline policies of the government towards asylum seekers. The peaceful gathering at Town Hall in Sydney consisted of different social and political groups. The Guardian reported that protesters were holding up banners that read “welcome refugees from Syria” and “Close Manus. Close Manus. Welcome refugees.”

The protesters called for the closure of the detention centres on the Pacific Islands, which have been at the centre of controversy for many months. The rallies went peacefully without a sign of trouble. Rallies at Melbourne and Canberra saw a gathering of around 1,000 and 2,000 people.

At present, strict government policies do not allow asylum seekers to resettle in Australia even after they are found to be genuine refugees. Any refugees attempting to enter the country by sea are either turned back or sent to detention centres in Nauru or Papua New Guinea. According to various media reports, refugees are given harsh treatment at these camps.

The Nauruan government recently announced that it would process the refugee claims of 600 asylum seekers within this week. It has also opened its doors to allow refugees to move about freely on the island, although for the time being, refugees will have to live with other detainees, until they are allotted new rooms.

Citizens also protested against the Border Force Act, which bars workers at these detention centres from divulging facts about treatment given to the detained refugees. If they breach the law, workers will be remanded in custody for a term that may extend up to two years.

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