Dozens of refugee women are taking to the streets in Australia in support of refugees who are living in the land populated by kangaroos as they are unable to go back fearing safety for their lives.
The Refugee Women Action for Visa Equality (RWAVE) is on the fifth day of an extraordinary 640 Km walk from Melbourne to Canberra demanding permanent visas for refugees who they call have been ‘left in limbo.’
They say the ‘fast track’ system is deeply flawed which has left 12,000 people in a state of uncertainty.
Led by Tamil and Iranian women refugees, the long walk began on Friday (22) outside the office of Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs.
In a powerful display of unity and determination, refugees and asylum-seekers from various backgrounds have joined together in the march to the heart of Australian democracy, Parliament House in Canberra.
RWAVE says the “fast track” system raises serious concerns about transparency and fairness in immigration assessments. “Their lives have been on hold for too long”.
The ruling Labour Party under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also came under criticism from the organizers of the long walk.
“Refugees who were brought to Australia from Nauru and Papua New Guinea face a similar state of uncertainty. Their futures remain uncertain, despite promises of change from the Labour Party. It’s time to put an end to this cycle of uncertainty.”
Geetha Ramachandran, a Tamil mother, is leading the march:
“I am a mother of three young children, one of whom was born in Australia and knows no other home. Like tens of thousands of other women, I grew up surrounded by the violence of the civil war in Sri Lanka. My parents were refugees, I am a refugee, my children are refugees. We transmit that violence and uncertainty from one generation to another. I am marching to bring this to an end – not just for me and my family, but for all people condemned to uncertainty,” Geetha told the Guardian.
Organizers of this walk believe it will draw attention from lawmakers, advocates, and concerned citizens who share our belief in compassion, fairness, and justice and demand the Aussie government to listen and take meaningful action to protect and support all refugees and end the suffering and uncertainty.
“We are demanding justice, protection, and certainty for all refugees, asylum-seekers, and their families. We believe that no one should be left behind and that the rights of all refugees must be recognized and upheld. This includes study rights for their children and work rights for adults”.
Victoria-based Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) says they are ‘proud to support RWAVE in their walk and demand.
