28 May 2003 - Actions against deportations in Australia

The Australian Government is intent on deporting Iranian asylum seekers from Australia to Iran. They have offered $2000 to individuals agreeing to be removed voluntarily, backed up with the threat that unless they agree to go in within 28 days, they will be forcibly deported. Unbearable pressure is being applied to Iranians detained in on-shore detention centres to sign the deal. While DIMIA tells asylum seekers that the Iranian Government has agreed to accept forced deportees, the Iranian Embassy has denied that this is the case.

On 28th of may 2003, the day when period of grace for Iranian refugees to accept DIMIA's blackmail ran out, the newly-formed National Anti-Deportation Alliance (NADA) organised protest actions across the country at DIMIA offices and elsewhere.




MEDIA RELEASES
from
National Anti-Deportation Alliance (NADA) - Australia
PO Box A287, ANU, ACT 2601
http://www.westnet.com.au/jackhsmit/nada1.htm



28 May 2003
For immediate release

Australia signs asylum seeker agreement with Iran. Europe to follow?

On March 12th 2003, the Australian Minister for Immigration, Phillip Ruddock, announced that the Australian Government had just entered into an “historic” agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this Memorandum of Understanding, the Iranian Government said that, for the first time, they would accept asylum seekers forcibly deported back to Iran.

This agreement with Australia will leave the Iranian Government open to pressure from European countries seeking its replication. Australia is trying to forcibly deport around two hundred Iranian asylum seekers who have failed in their refugee applications, but European countries would like to deport tens of thousands.

According to UNHCR statistics, over fifty thousand Iranian nationals applied for asylum in Europe between 2000 and 20002. Approximately one third had their applications rejected.

“The Memorandum of Understanding opens the way for the European Community to begin negotiations with Iran to forcibly return these people, “ said Matt Hamon, spokesperson for the National Anti-Deportation Alliance, an Australia group formed to oppose forcible deportations. “It sets a precedent that’s very worrying.”

“Iran doesn’t want the thousands of European asylum seekers back, because it has an unemployment rate of thirty percent, “ said Matt Hamon, “This is the reason why, up until now, they’ve only agreed to accept asylum seekers returning voluntarily to Iran.”

Iranian asylum seekers in Australia have been given 28 days to accept a voluntary deportation package, which includes a payment of $2000 for individuals and $10,000 for families. They were sent letters informing them that those who don’t accept this offer “will be required to return to Iran in the near future without the benefits of the financial assistance.”


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Media release 28th May

NADA LAUNCHES DAY OF ACTION – NO FORCED DEPORTATIONS

Sharan Burrow from the ACTU and Mr Amir Ahmadi, an Iranian academic will speak at the launch of the National Anti-Deportation Alliance (NADA). This national alliance of refugee and asylum seeker advocates, community supporters, legal advisors and activists, was formed in response to the threats of forced deportation of Iranian asylum seekers to Iran.

Wednesday May 28th is the 28th day- a deadline given to the Iranian asylum seekers to sign voluntarily or be forcibly removed. A National Day of Action will see refugee supporters in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth outside airline and immigration offices in support of refugees.

A 2,ooo dollar cheque will be presented to on behalf of Minister Alexander Downer, who is negotiating the people for trade deal with Iran.

Qantas airlines will be visited and presented with a letter demanding assurances that Qantas will not people against their will.

"The Iranian government has a human rights record which has attracted condemnation from the United Nations and the European Parliament. The fate of people who oppose the cruel regime of the Mullahs is well documented by International Human Rights Organisations. Fear of torture or death on return has caused some detainees in Britain to commit suicide rather than be deported," says Pamela Curr, Greens National refugee spokesperson.

"NADA has members and affiliates in every state and territory. This National Day of Action will see a show of strength and determination across the country to stop the deportation of Iranian asylum seekers," Chris Raab of NADA concluded.