Posted by Kevin Bates
on March 9, 2003, 9:50 am
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>MARY MACKILLOP'S SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH
>7 March 2003
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>MEDIA RELEASE
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>TESTIMONY
>on behalf of East Timorese Asylum Seekers
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>We Sisters of St Joseph, followers of Mary MacKillop, testify:
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>That we have worked with many of the East Timorese asylum seekers for years, and have come to know and love them and their families;
>That we know their stories, have worked with them, have appreciated their contribution to Australian society and have admired their courage and endurance;
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>That these East Timorese people are victims of policies and processes which are now history, and over which they had no control;
>That they fled here during the extreme period of oppression after the Dili massacre, many still bearing the marks of torture and trauma;
>That had their cases been dealt with when they arrived, they would have received refugee status as did Timorese with similar experiences just months earlier;
>That although the political situation has changed, their lives have been thrown into unnecessary turmoil;
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>That the denial of refugee status to these people was arbitrary, and resulted more from Australia¹s political tensions with Indonesia than from the worth of the people¹s claims;
>That the attempts to declare them Portuguese citizens were found to be wrong in law three times;
>That the time taken to make a decision has been unwarranted and unconscionable;
>That they have lived dignified and responsible lives in Australia for up to ten years despite the uncertainty of their situation;
>That many have contributed through hard work and taxes to the development of Australia and that their enforced return to East Timor will deprive businesses of their skill and willingness to work;
>That the richness of their culture has contributed significantly to the life and experience of many Australians;
>That those of school age have been denied higher education, being considered full fee-paying overseas students, thus limiting their ability to contribute to any society;
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>That the historical links between East Timor and Australia are unique, making this situation unique;
>That no other group of people suffered so much loss as a result of befriending Australians than did the East Timorese, with 40,000 dead at the hands of the Japanese for their trouble;
>That Australia¹s relationship with East Timor in 1975 is still unclear and ambiguous, a unique situation in our history;
>That therefore of all the people in the world, Australia should open its doors to those East Timorese who have lived here for so long;
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>That the current precarious and unsettled situation in East Timor would make these people¹s return to Timor even more undesirable;
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>That the process by which they lose benefits and the right to work when appealing to the Minister is degrading and unnecessary, and will bring hardship and further pressure to people who are still coming to terms with the trauma they have suffered;
>That we intend to launch an Appeal to assist the people in the paying of rent and the buying of food while they await a decision;
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>That Australia could now easily address these people¹s unique situation by granting them permanent residency.
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>Signed
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>Sister Katrina Brill
>Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph
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>Sister Josephine Mitchell and staff
>Mary MacKillop Institute of East Timorese Studies
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>Further information:
>Josephine Mitchell or Susan Connelly
>Ph 02 9623 2847
>Fx 02 9623 1573
>jos.mmiets@nareg.com.au
>sc.mmiets@nareg.com.au
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