(Transcript from World News Australia Radio)
Leading refugee support groups are hoping an open letter they've sent to the Prime Minister will lead to changes in the Coalition government's asylum seeker policies.
The letter was signed by more than 130 non-government organisations which all have a role in helping refugees to settle in Australia.
Andi Yu has more.
(Click on audio tab above to listen to this item)
The letter, co-ordinated by the Refugee Council of Australia, raises particular concerns over the Coalition government's use of the phrase 'illegal maritime arrivals' to describe asylum seekers who arrive by boat.
It says seeking asylum is actually legal under international law and that the word 'illegal' could be negatively affecting perceptions of asylum seekers in the wider Australian community.
One group signing the letter is Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.Its president, John Southalan, says the use of the word 'illegal' is misleading.
"Our measure is, what are the internationally-agreed standards? And that says you're allowed to seek asylum in another country. You can arrive in any manner, you don't have to have papers, and under that it's not illegal and so that's the concern that we use. By that phrase it's sort of suggesting this is not allowed and that's contrary to what Australia and the international community really has agreed."
Refugee Council president Phil Glendenning says the word 'illegal' unfairly portrays asylum seekers arriving by boat as criminals.
"Under our law they've committed no offence. They're not charged with anything. So defining them as illegal, it's erroneous, if not mischievous."
The letter to Tony Abbott says the federal government's choice of language has the potential to incite fear and hatred in the Australian community.
That's a concern of another signatory, the Australian Lutheran World Service.Executive secretary, Chey Mattner, says the government has deliberately drawn on fear.
"The political environment and I'm sad to say, a broad section of the media as well is very very quick to drum up fear about people coming to Australia. To me it looks a lot like the days of the red tide of Communism coming to Australia and politics and the media drawing on those fears."
Phil Glendenning from the Refugee Council says asylum seekers and refugees are increasingly being subjected to hatred.
He says it's the responsibilty of the government to lead the community, and put a stop to this trend.
"In a country like ours which is multicultural, where we have seen in the last 12 months an increase in violent attacks upon asylum seeker groups. We really think the government should be doing all that it can not to raise fears or incite some certain sections of the population against refugees and asylum seekers, it really should be showing leadership."
Mr Glendenning says he doesn't believe the majority of Australians are against asylum seekers - and government policies should reflect this.
"The Prime Minister has a fundamental obligation to govern for all Australians, not just those that tend to dominate talk back radio and we take the Prime Minister seriously when he says that. When he said on election night his government will govern for all Australians and the vast majority of Australians are reasonable people who aren't in the habit of demonising minorities."
The Lutheran World Service's Chey Mattner says he hopes the letter to the Prime Minister will lead to a more welcoming approach to those seeking asylum in Australia.
"I'd hope that the reaction from the Prime Minister is that greater dialogue can happen between NGOs such as ourselves, the Refugee Council of Australia, but also countries where these people are coming from, to look at positive ways of welcoming these people to our country, rather than putting up a very very high and thick wall."
Share
