GOVERNMENT CONTINUES ATTACK ON HEALTH OF REFUGEES
The latest Federal Government announcement that no refugees and asylum seekers arriving by boat will ever be permitted to settle in Australia confirms that it is committed to ignoring the health needs of these human beings who already have life long scars from their experiences which have led them to risk their lives to escape, said Dr Tim Woodruff, president, Doctors Reform Society. This deplorable continued lack of health care and support in detention centres is at the expense of and on behalf of the people of Australia
The well documented health effects of detention itself for people who have not committed any crime is reason to be deeply concerned. But the callous disregard of their ongoing health needs and a commitment by this Government to destroy whatever hope these clearly desperate people have is a reason for all Australians to be ashamed of our Government.
Health requires hope. The Government is destroying hope. It is also breaking the law by not adhering to the Convention on the Rights of the Child which it ratified in 1990. Below is just one item from the Convention which the Government is clearly ignoring in its policies in these detention centres.
Article 36: Children should be protected from any activities that could harm their development
A healthy Australia cannot exist whilst these unhealthy policies continue. We call on the Government to bring all refugees in our care (and they are in our care despite claims to the contrary), to Australia and given the health and social support required for them to live healthy lives. They will make Australia a more healthy place to live.
Dr Tim Woodruff Dr Con Costa
Vice President Vice President
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