MEMBERS and supporters of Rural Australians for Refugees will hold a rally in Torquay tonight (Thursday, August 16) in a demonstration of concern over those refugees still being held in offshore detention.<\/p>\n
In a statement, John Bartlett from Surf Coast RAR said that \u201cdespite government assurances to the contrary, there are 120 children still being held on Nauru – and with a record of 12 deaths already in offshore detention and deteriorating health of others, local refugee advocates join other groups throughout Australia calling for an end to offshore detention\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo refugees from Manus Island, facing critical illnesses, were last week belatedly rushed to medical attention, after a campaign of public and private pressure on the Australian government.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso last week, Queensland state coroner Terry Ryan found Australia responsible for the \u2018preventable\u2019 death of Hamid Kehazaei, who contracted a simple infection inside the Manus Island detention centre in 2014. A series of \u2018multiple errors\u2019 and \u2018systemic failures\u2019 caused his death, the coroner found.<\/p>\n
\u201cLocal refugee advocates believe that now is a critical time to pressure the authorities for a more humane treatment of those in offshore detention.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s demonstration will be held at the corner of Darian Road and the Surf Coast Highway at 5.30pm.<\/p>\n
Demonstrations will continue each Thursday until August 30.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEMBERS and supporters of Rural Australians for Refugees will hold a rally in Torquay tonight (Thursday, August 16) in a demonstration of concern over those refugees still being held in offshore detention. In a statement, John Bartlett from Surf Coast RAR said that \u201cdespite government assurances to the contrary, there are 120 children still being […]<\/p>\n