MOST weeks of the year seem to have been allocated to celebrate, consider, raise money or pay attention to some particular cause or movement of importance across the wider social strata.
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This one is no different. It has been nominated “Refugee Week”.
With the vast difference of opinions from all parts of society, with the political war cry “stop the boats”, with demeaning and degrading language applied willy nilly to any and all of the asylum seekers, one can be excused for being confused.
That, however, is no excuse for anyone to opt out of the debate or settle for unsubstantiated so- called reports.
Tragically, more than 45 million people around the world are displaced. War, natural disasters, persecution, discrimination and starvation are some of the reasons why people feel the need to flee their homelands.
Obviously, Australia is not in a position to accept all the people seeking asylum. Nevertheless, the question hangs in the air – are we taking a reasonable share for a modern and prosperous country?
People arriving by boat seem to be being treated differently than those who come by air, overstay their visas and apply for residence.
The advocates who have visited Manus Island or Nauru or other detention centres tell us of appalling conditions destructive of human dignity and well being, and certainly not conducive to mental or physical health.
The situation seems to fit the old adage that talks of sending the rescue services to save the people at the bottom of the cliff, rather than putting a proper fence at the top to prevent the catastrophes in the first place.
Orange can be proud of the service it has put in place to assist migrant and refugee people to assimilate and fit into the local society, and we certainly commend all those involved.
The question remains – Is there something more I can do to support this cause and let mercy and justice prevail?
