Press Release
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E-mail: media
Australian treatment of asylum seekers "deeply troubling" says WCC
The text of the letter follows:
"Over the last few days, we have been watching the unfolding story of the Tampa, the ship filled with asylum-seekers, which has been standing off Christmas Island, has been prevented from landing in Australia and is apparently unable to travel elsewhere. Like many around the world, we have been dismayed by the initial reaction of the Australian government and hope that the government will allow the asylum-seekers to land, to receive the assistance they need, to be allowed to tell their stories and to present asylum claims. The right to seek and enjoy asylum is a basic human right (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art.14) which must be upheld throughout the world - and on Christmas Island.
We know, through our participation in the NCCA Forum and a staff visit on these issues to Australia last month, that the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers has become a burning political issue in your country. While Australia is certainly not alone in the world in implementing measures to deter asylum-seekers, such policies stand in stark contrast to Australia's history as a country of immigration and of refuge. Over the years, Australia has played a leading role in creating and supporting an international regime to protect those forced to flee their countries because of persecution, human rights violations and wars. It is truly sad to see the public debate in Australia now characterized by stereotyping, xenophobia and lack of compassion. Moreover, it is deeply troubling to see Australia's role in the international community changing from one of support and leadership for a collective response by the international community to one of questioning international obligations.
The Tampa case is not an isolated example. Together with the churches joined in the NCCA, the World Council of Churches is particularly concerned about the wider pattern of policies toward asylum-seekers currently being followed by the Australian government:
All of these developments have repercussions far beyond Australia's shores. When the government of such a democratic and prosperous country refuses landing privileges to a ship loaded with asylum-seekers rescued from peril at sea, other governments take notice. When the Australian government calls for changes in the 1951 Refugee Convention to prevent people from seeking asylum in other countries, the whole international regime of refugee protection is weakened.
We share the concern expressed by the government that the practice of trafficking in human lives must be stopped. However, we reject the notion that the victims of such practices be further punished rather than the traffickers themselves. We understand that it is difficult to speak out on such divisive political issues in the current climate in Australia poisoned by government spokespersons and media that label asylum-seekers as "illegals" and "queue-jumpers". Yet the Gospel tells us that Jesus made the love for strangers and enemies a hallmark of the inclusive community of the children of God. In this, he followed the Old Testament tradition of receiving the stranger (Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19: 33-34; Deuteronomy 24:14-19; Jeremiah 5-7). We are therefore greatly encouraged by several recent statements by Australian churches that offer both an alternative vision of a culturally diverse society and which outline concrete steps the churches are taking. We commend you for these actions and express our solidarity with you as you struggle to live out your faith in difficult times.
As the WCC Central Committee said in 1995: "Christians are called to be with the oppressed, the persecuted, the marginalized and the excluded in their suffering, their struggles and their hopes. A ministry of accompaniment and advocacy with uprooted people upholds the principles of prophetic witness and service - diaconia. We cannot desert the 'needy', nor set boundaries to compassion (Hebrews 13:2; Luke 10: 25-37; Romans 12:13)."
May God bless and sustain you in your witness now to a government and a society in need of such words of wisdom, mercy, peace and justice."
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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.