Defend Protesting Asylum Seekers in Australia

Since 16 January 2002 hundreds of asylum seekers in Woomera Detention Centre in Australia have initiated a hunger strike and protest against the Australian government's policy of detention and its freeze on asylum applications of Afghans. Other asylum seekers at various detention centres have also begun hunger strikes and protests in support of the legitimate demands of the Woomera detainees. We, the undersigned, condemn the Australian government's anti-asylum policies and laws and demand that: 1. The Australian government immediately address the legitimate demands of the protesting asylum seekers, including assessing all Afghan asylum claims; 2. All detention centres must be shut down and the women, men and children imprisoned in them resettled in various communities with decent housing and lodging arrangements and that 3. The Australian government must recognise the right to asylum of protesting and other asylum seekers.

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