Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Tampa; What have we learned in a year, or indeed, in 60 years? Eureka Street

What have we learned in a year, or indeed, in 60 years? Sixty years ago my parents and i crossed a border to escape genocide. I learned that people like I were illegals, queue jumpers, who should be jailed in severe circumstances. I love my new country of freedom. Why is it acting along the lines that resemble the first steps of a persecutory state?
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Publication Author: Paul Valent Publication Date: September 2002 Categories: Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Shame of Woomera. Herald Sun Op-Ed. p 21.

Incarceration of refugees from the very terrorists that we are fighting is illogical and cruel. Asylum seekers should be given asylum, not detention centres that lead them to be violent and suicidal.
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Publication Author: Paul Valent Publication Date: 1 Feb 2002 Categories: Co-operation, Trust & Mutual Gain, Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Letter to the Editor re Woomera, on behalf of Australasian society for Traumatic Stress Studies. The Australian. p.10

Letter from the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies pleading that traumatised asylum seekers should not be traumatised further.
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Publication Author: Paul Valent, S McFarlane Publication Date: 27 Dec 2000 Categories: Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Asylum seekers. Talk to The Royal Society of Tasmania

It has been said that one can learn a lot about a people from the way they handle their prisoners. To prisoners i want to add asylum seekers. Cases of abuse, including of children are described. Dehumanisation and demonisation, isolation, giving numbers to detainees, are recognised steps on the way to genocide. Handling of asylum seekers has corrupted warders and the wider community. Steps must be taken to reverse this process.
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Publication Author: Paul Valent Publication Date: 2003 Categories: Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Inhumanity repeated. (Unpublished)

The treatment of asylum seekers in Woomera detention centre is a cameo rerun of Australia’s treatment of its aborigines. Current arguments and emotions link both events. Instead of a rerun of our traumatic history, we should learn from it for the benefit of all parties. .
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Publication Author: Paul Valent Publication Date: 2002 Categories: Refugees & Asylum Seekers

No, not us. (Unpublished)

Yes, Australia has been officially named as abuser of human rights. Stories of children in detention that melt our hearts harden those of politicians. We need to look away in shame for what is enacted in our names. But we can stop traumatising children and retrieve our good name.

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Publication Author: Paul Valent Publication Date: 2004 Categories: Refugees & Asylum Seekers