Australia Day amnesty for Manus Island detainees
A statement from Bishop Philip Huggins, Chair, General Synod Migrant and Refugee Group, Anglican Church of Australia.
Australia Day is an opportunity to take a one-off and uplifting initiative: declare an amnesty for those now in the Manus Island Detention Centre.
Bring to Australia those found to be refugees.
The numbers are relatively small – something around 1000 men is the figure quoted in a world of 50 million displaced people.
Most have come from places of persecution and suffering.
Some have been detained for 18 months without there being a welcoming transition into PNG society.
Most are young and motivated to make a better life – just like those who followed the First Fleet.
The Manus Island arrangement is plainly not working. This is causing much distress, including to Australians of goodwill.
Australia Day is an opportunity to face this and take a positive initiative.