Thousands of Australians today protested against their country’s harsh refugee policies. In several cities, they called on the government in Canberra to dissolve the camps set up several years ago on various Pacific islands and to bring the perpetuating claimants to Australia. „Refugees are welcome here,“ it said on banners.
The Australian government set up internment camps in 2013 on the Pacific island of Nauru and the island of Manu, which is part of Papua New Guinea, to bring in boat people picked up at sea. She has been heavily criticized internationally.
According to the refugee relief organization RAC, more than 100 suicidal or self-injured attempts were made on Manus this year alone. This intensified after a conservative coalition won the general election in May. Tomorrow Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape is expected in Australia. He demands that Canberra set a deadline for a shooting of the Manus Camp.
