Media Releases
May 14, 2004
Catholic Bishops call for urgent response to the
needs of asylum seekers and
refugees
The Catholic Bishops of Australia have issued a statement in which they
call for the Government and all Australians to respond with urgency to the
needs of asylum seekers and refugees.
The Bishops, meeting together in their Plenary Session in Sydney, have called
for the nation's response to asylum seekers to be just, compassionate
and consistent with Australia's obligations under International Law and
the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees and other Conventions to which
Australia is a signatory.
"We plead the cause of refugees and asylum seekers again because the
Gospel compels us to do so," the Bishops' statement says.
"We remain hopeful that hearts and minds will change so that the treatment
of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia may be more humane, more respectful
of human dignity."
The Bishops say Australia must, as a matter of urgency, find alternatives
to detention for unaccompanied minors and for children who accompany their
parents.
"Such alternatives must respect the importance of family unity and family
reunion, and ensure that children damaged by detention receive adequately funded
care in the community. Church agencies have shown their willingness to help
in this."
For more information contact Bishop Joseph Grech on 03 5441 2544 or Fr John
Murphy on 02 6201 9848 or 0418 224 524.
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