BY ANTHONY BENBOW
FREMANTLE — "I only wish the politicians could show refugees the same kindness, compassion and humility that my ancestors showed your ancestors hundreds of years ago" — with these passionate words, Nyoongar activist Kim Collard opened the February 16 refugee-rights public meeting. She was met with a roar of approval from the 700-strong crowd.
It was standing room only at the town hall meeting, initiated by the Fremantle Refugee Support Project around the theme "Understanding the refugee crisis". The meeting was chaired by Carmen Lawrence, ALP member for the federal seat of Fremantle.
A handful of people expressed their disagreement with speakers by leaving the meeting early, but nearly all stayed until the end. Frequent bursts of applause punctuated the comments of the first few speakers.
A highlight of the meeting was the speech, via telephone link, of Kashmiri refugee Stephen Khan from behind the razor wire at Perth immigration detention centre. Detained for more than three years, Khan described the harsh approach of the Australian government toward refugees.
"The government lies to us — about the children overboard, about children having their lips sewn, and about detention centres — they are not some form of rustic holiday camp", Marg Le Sueur, a lawyer who has regularly visited the Port Hedland detention centre told the meeting.
Le Sueur detailed the deception surrounding life in detention including English language classes without teachers and materials which get delayed or go astray.
UWA academic Samina Yasmeen, recently returned from Pakistan, described how the three million refugees in Pakistan are met with more understanding of their plight than in Australia.
"Our major task is to change the minds of our fellow West Australians", said former Liberal MP and current Reconciliation Council member Fred Chaney, citing a recent newspaper survey which showed only 18% of WA people oppose mandatory detention.
Some of Chaney's speech appeared to apologise for the actions of racist politicians. "Politicians are reflecting current instincts in the community", he said. "We must create an environment in which a decent politician can exist."
During the question-and-answer session, Lawrence was asked about both her views and ALP policy on refugees. Urging people to read Labor's policy carefully, Lawrence said "We have removed mention of mandatory detention from this document, you must read the detail."
At the close of the meeting people filled contact lists, signed letters to politicians, petitions and the call for a royal commission into the treatment of refugees, and gave donations to further the campaign. Many took information sheets and leaflets for the Free the Refugees rally and march in Perth's Stirling Gardens at 1pm on March 2.
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, February 27, 2002.
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