Imagine the unimaginable…
The unimaginable for almost every Australian…
The celebration of Christmas is heading towards its spectacular climax. You are at home. It is 10am in the morning. You are preparing to celebrate your little four-year-old’s birthday.
Suddenly there is a loud knock on the door. Police in plainclothes are standing there. Beside them is someone who stands apart, who appears to be in charge. You are told you are going with them. Now.
Where is this? Pyongyang? Moscow? Bagdad? New York? A terrible memory of a long-past fascist era?
Launceston, Tasmania, early December.
This is the story of the Sarwari family, a family of six who already had endured unimaginable hardships in their desperate attempt for a better life.
The Sarwaris were living in Launceston on a Temporary Protection Visa, says Tasmanians for Refugees:
And the situation now...
"While (Dad) Moheb has to remain in detention, Fatima and her four children have been allowed to return to Launceston. But ...
· They cannot work to support themselves
· There is no access to Federal Government services such as Centrelink and Medicare
A support fund to help cover the living costs of the family has been set up. Donations (tax deductible) and weekly pledges can be made at:
LAUNCESTON CITY MISSION
Administration Services
48 Frederick Street
Launceston
Ph: 6331 6999
'In kind' provision of services and voluntary help is most welcome
Contact: Phil Hammond
122 Elizabeth Street, L'ton
Anglicare ph. 6334 6060
Information sharing at stalls:
Monitor a stall, hand out leaflets, seek signatures for a petition. In Hobart, Tasmanians for Refugees will have a stall at the Salamanca Market on the second Saturday of each month commencing on 8 February. If you would like to volunteer for the stall roster, please contact Jenny Wood 62783486 or 0403397186. If you have a couple of hours to spare one Saturday a month, this is a great way to raise awareness about the treatment of asylum seekers.
Write letters to:
Moheb Sarawari
c/- Blue 1 Compound, Baxter Detention Centre PO Box 2477, Port Augusta South Australia 5700
Ph 08 8641 8900 Fax 08 8641 5720
Write letters:
The Editor, The Examiner
email: editor@examiner.com. au or fax: 6334 7328
The Editor, The Mercury
email: mercuryedletter@dbl.newsltd.com.au
Fax: (03) 62 300 711
The Editor, The Advocate
email: contrib.advocate@theadvocate.com.au
Fax: (03) 6231 5299
The Prime Minister
The Hon John Howard, Suite MG 8, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 Fax 02 6273 4100
The Minister for Immigration, Multiculturalism and Indigenous Affairs,
The Hon Phillip Ruddock MP, Suite MF 40, Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Fax: 02 6273 4144
Tasmanian Senators and Members of the House of Representatives