
Violence on Manus Island
The Uniting Church in Australia has expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of life on Manus Island.
“The Church is deeply concerned about the death of one asylum seeker and the injury of so many others,” said President of the Uniting Church, Rev. Prof. Andrew Dutney.
“Sadly this tragedy was both predictable and preventable. The Australian Government has placed vulnerable people in a situation where their basic needs are not being met.
“These individuals have fled violence and horror in their homelands – and have now been exposed to it yet again as a direct result of Australian Government policies.”
Rev. Elenie Poulos, National Director of UnitingJustice Australia, has reiterated the Church’s call to end offshore processing.
“The Uniting Church has always been opposed to the offshore processing of asylum seekers. We have been increasingly alarmed at the effects of the harsh and punishing conditions on Manus and Nauru. Australia must protect people not place them in situations of harm.
“The warehousing of asylum seekers in inadequate facilities in these offshore centres is entirely unacceptable. It is a breach of our obligations under international law and diminishes us as a nation.
“The Government must move immediately to close the centres and transfer all asylum seekers to safety here on the Australian mainland. We cannot continue to risk the lives of asylum seekers for the sake of these inhumane policies,” said Rev. Poulos.
Share
Insights Magazine
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pre-recorded service of worship for the 2021 Day of Mourning
24/01/20212021 #ChangeTheHeart Prayer Service
25/01/2021Installing solar panels: A talk for Uniting Church members
23/02/2021Gospel Yarning 2021
25/02/2021 - 27/02/2021Climate Action Conference - Future Directions
20/03/2021- See more events
Connect With Us
ADD AN EVENT
Are you hosting an event in the Synod that will be of interest to Insights’ readers?
To add an event listing email us your event details. A full list of events can be found on our Events page.