Grant the Nauru hunger strikers Australian citizenship

Refugee hunger strikers on Nauru, January 2004

Media release, January 6, 2004

There is an obvious, simple and humane solution to the tragedy unfolding on Nauru - grant Australian citizenship to the 248 refugees who have been detained there for more than two and a half years.

The alternative - to allow innocent victims of repression to starve to death - is intolerable in a modern civilised society. It is tantamount to murder.

The hunger strike by more than 40 Afghan asylum seekers imprisoned on Nauru is a desperate plea for justice. After three weeks on strike, the asylum seekers are suffering severe kidney pain and festering sores, and many are so weak they cannot move. For some, death is imminent.

This is not something people choose to do to themselves if they have any other options. Being forced to return to war-torn Afghanistan is not an option.

If the Howard government had any regard for human rights it would immediately agree to the AMA's request to send doctors to Nauru to provide medical treatment to the hunger strikers.

If the Howard government had nothing to hide it would ensure that the media had unimpeded access to the detention centre and all detainees on Nauru.

If the Howard government listened to the Australian people, it would grant immediate refugee status to the Nauru detainees, release them from detention and welcome them to Australia.

This crisis makes it clearer than ever that a more lasting solution is needed. Socialist Alliance calls for the immediate granting of Australian citizenship to all remaining asylum seekers on Nauru, and to all those still detained in the mainland refugee camps.

We demand that the Australian government acknowledge that a life without insecurity, persecution or fear is a basic human right for all, and that it immediately:

Dismantle the so-called Pacific solution

Stop the deportations of asylum seekers

End mandatory detention and close all detention centres

Grant permanent protection, full rights and settlement assistance to all refugees

We call on the ALP opposition to abandon its tacit acceptance of the Coalition government's abuse of refugees and asylum seekers, and do everything in its power to ensure a humane and just resolution for those on Nauru, and in all Australia's detention centres.

Contact:

David Glanz (03) 9384 0225 / 0418 316 310

Lisa Macdonald 0413 031 108