Media
Releases
31 August 2001
Tampa's Innocent Pawns in a Messy Game
President of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Francis Carroll,
calls on the Australian Government to rethink its current response to the refugee crisis
involving the Tampa in waters off the North West Coast of Australia.
"The position of the Catholic Church is, as previous statements over the last week
have expressed, that Australia should not be treating people seeking asylum in our country
in this manner," said the President.
"Australia has ratified the UN Convention on the Status of Refugees which obliges us
as signatories not to turn back those seeking asylum," said Archbishop Carroll.
"Last year, the Year of Great Jubilee in the Church, a Charter of Rights for
Displaced Persons was issued from Rome. The first of those rights is 'that displaced
people not be turned back at the borders of the country where they seek protection'".
"The end goal of the Government is obvious, to stop the illegal trade of people
smuggling and the Bishops would support this concept but not by using theses current
tactics," said the President. "To think that the Government's current tactic in
this situation will deter future asylum seekers from attempting to reach Australian shores
clearly exhibits the Government's misunderstanding of the desperation these people
feel."
"Whilst we acknowledge that the Prime Minister is offering humanitarian aid to the
stranded ship - and we welcome his compassion, it is simply not enough," the Chairman
said.
"I note that the majority of Australians, if opinion polls are to be believed, are in
favour of the decision to refuse entry to the Tampa so that these people can seek refuge
on our shores," said Archbishop Carroll. "I can honestly say this saddens my
heart and simply ask all Australians to adopt the simple principle of placing the shoe on
the other foot. Perhaps then a more considered and different response would emerge."
For an interview with Archbishop Carroll please contact Fr Murphy on 0418) 224 524
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