For this Hass Assessment, we had to write our letter to our State or Federal Member of Parliament about an issue of our choice of we think should be taken into consideration. I chose the issue of ‘Treatment of Asylum seekers’. I chose this issue because it’s an ongoing issue that is going on un-noticed and I feel that this is extremely unfair and should be dealt with immediately.
All Saints College
PO Box 165
Ewing Ave, Bull Creek WA 6149
The Hon. Mr. Ben Morton MP
PO Box 329
Willetton, WA, 6155
13th of May 2022
Dear Mr. Morton,
My name is Noku Mavhondo, and I am a year 8 student from All Saints College. In this letter I would like to address the unfair treatment of Asylum seekers and the reintroduced offshore processing of Asylum seekers who arrive in a boat that was created by Australia Government.
I am a resident of your electorate of Burt, and I am deeply concerned about the impacts sending asylum seekers to mandatory detention in New Zealand and Papua new guinea has had on asylum seekers. Sending them away has an effect on their health, well-being, and lifestyle. To add to this, their rights have been restricted meaning they have no say in how they are being treated. Which I find to be extremely unfair and appalling and serves no justice whatsoever for asylum seekers.
I have heard that Australia has refused offers by New Zealand to take some of the asylum seekers and refugees. At least 12 refugees and asylum seekers have died and 6 of them committed suicide during Australia’s offshore processing system, because of Australia’s refusal to accept asylum seekers these people have to face dangerous measures in order to leave their country where living conditions aren’t suitable. Some of the refugees and asylum seekers that have been transferred from Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have been detained in hotel rooms. In these rooms access to sunlight, space to exercise and remain in a healthy state and fresh air is limited. I am arguing that these hotels for immigration detention is unlawful, unsafe, and definitely unfair for asylum seekers.
To prove how uncared for the facilities of which asylum seekers are resigned and how this has impacted their health and well-being of them and left them struggling severely. An asylum seeker couple in Sri Lanka with their Australia-born child spent 2 years in immigration detention on Christmas Island. Their 3-year-old daughter fell seriously ill because of the inadequate medical facilities in the immigration detention and because of this had to be flown to Perth.
This proves that asylum seekers are not given proper attention and the poor treatment that they have received from Australian Government has resulted in serious health issues and life struggles. As you would know, asylum seekers struggle when it comes to speaking English and communication so requesting for assistance and speaking up for what is right is difficult for them. So instead of holding up the injustice of asylum seekers who should be treated equally and have the same amount of freedom and equality that Australian Citizens receive, we should stop the unfair treatment of Asylum seekers immediately before the issue gets worse.
Here is how:
- Create more Asylum seeker organisations that will support good health and wellbeing of asylum seekers
- Accept more asylum seekers who arrive in Australia (even those who arrive in a boat and don’t have a valid visa because they are in need of a safe home)
- Create more sustained facilities of which asylum seekers are able to resign in that provide a good health system and include all necessary requirements
- Make immigration detention more sustainable and healthier enough for asylum seekers to stay in by renovating facilities and providing them with access to clean water, safe food, and appropriate clothing.
- Provide more programmes that can educate asylum seekers on how to speak English so they are able to communicate with others and get assistance if needed.
- Make Asylum seekers recognised in Australia and treat them equally just like Australian Citizens. Unrestritc their rights because restricting their rights means they have no control over how they are being treated and this doesn’t serve any justice. If the Government don’t give good treatment towards asylum seekers and assist them in difficult times, then who will?
Please be aware that I am not the only person with agree that they should be a change in this issue. With survives showing that 54.5 % of Australians strongly agree/agree that Australia should keep asylum seekers fleeing persecution in their homeland. I hope that this issue has been taken into consideration after reading this letter and that crucial action is taken afterwards.
Yours Sincerely,
Noku Mavhondo