Refugee Action Collective (Victoria)

Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) or RAC, are a grassroots group of activists concerned with refugee rights operating in Melbourne, Australia. RAC has organised around issues they deem inhumane by the Australian Government in relation to asylum seekers, such as organising protests and vigils[1][2][3] as well as being involved in more militant action such as breaking out and hiding detainees.[4]

Balloons at a vigil organised by RAC in solidarity with refugees on hunger strike at the Broadmeadows immigration detention centre in Melbourne, 2012

History

RAC was set up in late 2000 by a range of activists in response to the former Howard Government's policies toward the mandatory detention of refugees and the issuing of temporary protection visas which they branded as racist.[5] RAC activists were involved in breaking out detainees from the Woomera Detention Centre in 2002,[4] protesting outside the Baxter Detention Centre in 2005[1] and protests against the Tampa incident of 2001, where 438 asylum seekers were denied entry into Australia by the government.[6][7]

Recent years

By 2009, RAC began focusing their attention on the Rudd-Gillard Government's position on Tamil asylum seekers.[8] In 2010, RAC were amongst a coalition of groups calling on the government to "end the freeze on asylum seeker claims" and opposing what they call "another Tampa election". The move followed the government's decision to freeze processing of all claims by asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, and the re-opening of the Curtin Detention Centre.[9] RAC also protested outside the Maribyrnong Detention Centre in 2010 after a Tamil detainee went on hunger strike after his refugee claim had been accepted but still awaits security clearance from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.[10]

Notable affiliate individuals and organisations

• Judith Bessant, Head of RMIT University Global Studies, Social Science and Planning Department
• Eve Bodsworth, former President of the University of Melbourne Student Union
• Chris Chaplin, State Secretary of the Australian Greens (Victoria)
• Tahir Cambis, filmmaker and activist
• Kate Davidson, former National Education Officer of the National Union of Students
• Judy McVey, of Solidarity
• Michal Morris, of the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
• Michele O'Neil, Secretary of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union (Victorian Branch) and Vice-President of the Victorian Trades Hall Council
• Brian Pound, Secretary of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Victorian Branch)
• Nabil Sulaiman, of the Australian Arabic Council
• Fleur Taylor, of Socialist Alternative[1][5]

References

1. "Refugee activists converge on Baxter" ABC News, 25 March 2005. Accessed: 17 November 2009.
2. "Iranian Christian fears imminent deportation" The Age, 11 January 2005. Accessed: 17 November 2009.
3. "John Howard digs in over African refugees" Herald Sun, 4 October 2007. Accessed: 17 November 2009.
4. "Woomera escapees force split among activists" ABC, 28 June 2002. Accessed: 8 May 2010.
5. "Mission Statement" Refugee Action Collective (Victoria), 24 December 2000. Accessed: 17 November 2009.
6. "Refugee rally marks Tampa anniversary" ABC News, 29 August 2003. Accessed: 8 May 2010.
7. "Refugee deaths commemorated" Green Left Weekly, 23 October 2002. Accessed: 8 May 2010.
8. "Refugee Vigil" Tamil National, 1 November 2009. Accessed: 17 November 2009.
9. "World Refugee Day 2010" Refugee Advocacy Network. Accessed: 8 May 2010.
10. "Protesters support refugee hunger striker" Socialist Alternative, 5 October 2010. Accessed: 7 October 2010.

External links

• Refugee Action Collective (Victoria)