Human Rights Law Centre joins call for all refugees and asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru to be brought to Australia immediately

Today the Human Rights Law Centre joined church groups, medical associations, academics and a coalition of organisations and community groups to call for all refugees and asylum seekers to be immediately evacuated from Nauru and Manus Island and brought to safety in Australia.

Daniel Webb, Director of Legal Advocacy at the Human Rights Law Centre, said:

“It's not good enough to just sit back and hope for the best from President Trump. These lives are in Malcolm Turnbull’s hands, not Donald Trump’s. It's time for Malcolm Turnbull to show some leadership and principle and act now,” said Mr Webb.

“The government has had three and a half years and found no way forward. Enough is enough. The only humane and viable way forward is the most obvious one - bring them here to safety in Australia,” said Mr Webb.

“These men, women and children have spent the last three and a half years in painful limbo. All they want is to begin rebuilding their lives in safety,” said Mr Webb.

“Today, together with over 50 organisations, including medical associations, unions, teachers and church groups, we are calling on both major parties to reach a bipartisan agreement to solve this crisis of their own making.”

“The lives of men, women and children hang in the balance. We can’t rely on the whims of Trump to ensure their safety. All people who we have warehoused on Nauru and Manus must immediately be brought to Australia,” said Mr Webb.

“When the US deal was announced many of the men, women and children on Nauru and Manus felt hopeful and optimistic for the first time in years. But this continued uncertainty, delay and confusion is seeing those hopes dashed and causing huge pain,” said Mr Webb.

Find the full text of the joint statement and its signatories here.

For further comments or queries please contact:

Daniel Webb, Director of Legal Advocacy, Human Rights Law Centre, 0437 278 961

Michelle Bennett, Director of Communications, Human Rights Law Centre, 0419 100 519