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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/feb/04/let-them-stay-protesters-gather-around-australia-to-prevent-return-of-asylum-seekers-to-nauru
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| Let Them Stay: protesters gather around Australia to prevent return of asylum seekers to Nauru – live | Let Them Stay: protesters gather around Australia to prevent return of asylum seekers to Nauru – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.48am GMT | |
| 00:48 | |
| The minister for immigration and border protection, Peter Dutton, issued a media release an hour or so ago. The gist of it is that the government believes tough border protection measures stop people smuggling and “ensure the sovereignty of Australia’s borders remain in full force”. Here are some direct quotes from the minister; | |
| Australia has removed more than 20 boats from our waters over the past two years and our policy to turn back people smuggling boats to their country of departure will continue. | |
| The Government also remains committed to regional processing which, beyond our comprehensive on-water measures, provides a further deterrent to people who might otherwise attempt to travel illegally by boat to Australia. | |
| My message is that there are only two outcomes for people who travel illegally by boat to Australia: they will be intercepted and turned back from Australian waters or they will be sent to another country for processing. | |
| Processing and resettlement in Australia will never be an option and there are no exceptions; these rules apply to everyone. | |
| People who seek to use a people smuggler to get to Australia risk losing everything, including their lives and the lives of family members. | |
| 12.41am GMT | |
| 00:41 | |
| Ben Doherty | |
| Some further points from the Australian Human Rights Commission; | |
| The human rights commission has written to the government highlighting 50 ‘cases of concern’ of children in detention. These are the most seriously traumatised children in the detention system. The government, the AHRC says, has committed to responding individually to these cases. | |
| The immigration minister Peter Dutton has said in several interviews each case for removal to Nauru would be assessed individually, and committed “we will not be sending people back to harm”. | |
| Professor Gillian Triggs said she welcomed the commitment individual assessment, rather than a “blanket approach”. | |
| “You would have thought, on any rational analysis, and in light of the medical evidence, that you would have to conclude that the best interests of every one of those children is to remain in Australia.” | |
| #wearebetterthanthis #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/JUfQWXo17s | |
| 12.39am GMT | |
| 00:39 | |
| Melissa Davey with you from Melbourne - if you are attending one of the protests today you can tweet your photos and comments to me @MelissaLDavey. | |
| In the meantime, here’s Guardian Australia’s immigration reporter, Ben Doherty, with some more from Professor Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Hasantha Gunasekera; | |
| Paediatricians, Drs Elliot and Gunasekera, said the mental health of children was further damaged by being cared for by traumatised parents. | |
| “It’s effectively neglect when you have a very depressed mother who can’t engage and bond with her baby. That baby may well suffer developmentally, fail to develop speech, fail to develop physically, and, in fact, fail to thrive, despite an adequate diet, because of that emotional deprivation,” Dr Elliot said. | |
| On Christmas Island, there were 15 women with babies under a year old who had attempted suicide and were on 24-hour suicide watch. | |
| “Many of them just couldn’t engage with their babies.” | |
| Dr Gunasekera said babies born in detention - who knew no life other than detention - were being traumatised by their parents’ depression and ill-health. | |
| “Many of them have lived their entire lives behind these fences, in some cases electrified fences which is just horrific.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.45am GMT | |
| 12.30am GMT | |
| 00:30 | |
| Rod Bower, Anglican priest and Archdeacon of the Central Coast’s Gosford Anglican Church, has likened the federal government’s treatment of asylum seekers to Nazi Germany. | |
| #auspol can't deny the similarities to Nazi Germany. #Sanctuary at @anggoscom for #asylumseekers #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/HL98po1Or8 | |
| The Gosford Anglican Church is one of the several across Australia offering sanctuary to asylum seekers at risk of deportation, despite warnings from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. | |
| With the first of the nationwide protests starting in an hour’s time, I’m handing over coverage to my colleague in Melbourne, Melissa Davey. | |
| 12.21am GMT | |
| 00:21 | |
| Immigration minister Peter Dutton has warned the churches and cathedrals offering sanctuary to the asylum seekers at risk of being deported to Nauru that the government expects them to obey the law. | |
| The Australian has reported Dutton’s interview on Sydney’s 2GB radio: | |
| “Churches provide a lot of assistance to refugees and they feel very strongly about these issues, I understand that. In the end people have to abide by Australian law, no matter who you are. | |
| “We’ll deal with issues compassionately and sensibly, but there were 1200 people who drowned at sea trying to get to Australia including women and children, and there were 8000 children in detention when Labor was in power, and I’ve reduced that number down to 80. | |
| “I want to be the minister that gets kids out of detention and keeps boats stopped at the same time.” | |
| The Anglican Dean of Brisbane, Peter Catt, told the Australian said the church and cathedrals’ offer to shield asylum-seekers under the ancient Christian tradition is “an extraordinary step ... that will attract the attention of church communities around the world”. | |
| Shen Narayanasamy, human rights director of the advocacy organisation GetUp, has publicly praised the religious groups’ move. | |
| “Today we welcome the strong leadership of the churches in what is now a massive campaign of civil disobedience. | |
| “The least these people deserve is our protection, where the government will not provide that, the churches have stepped in. | |
| “The Prime Minister will need to push past church leaders and tear down the doors of the church to get to asylum seekers. What does he plan to do now? | |
| “The churches’ stand shows Australians will not stand back and let this abuse continue.” | |
| GetUp’s petition calling on Dutton to let the 267 asylum seekers stay has had more than 50,000 signatures in fewer than 48 hours. | |
| 11.54pm GMT | 11.54pm GMT |
| 23:54 | 23:54 |
| Professor Gillian Triggs, the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, is this morning presenting a new report that reveals the impacts of detention on children, informed by interviews and medical testing of children at the Wickham Point detention facility. Many of the children had spent time in Nauru. | Professor Gillian Triggs, the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, is this morning presenting a new report that reveals the impacts of detention on children, informed by interviews and medical testing of children at the Wickham Point detention facility. Many of the children had spent time in Nauru. |
| Introducing the report at a media briefing in Sydney earlier this morning, Triggs spoke of the “disturbing” findings of the earlier Forgotten Children report: | Introducing the report at a media briefing in Sydney earlier this morning, Triggs spoke of the “disturbing” findings of the earlier Forgotten Children report: |
| This Report examined the impact of prolonged mandatory, indefinite immigration detention on the mental and physical heath of children. The findings were disturbing. In short, detention, whether on Christmas Island, Nauru or centres on the Australian mainland, is dangerous and unsafe for children. 34% of the hundreds of children we visited had severe to moderate mental illness, compared to 2% of children in the Australian community. Their health and wellbeing, and that of their parents, was at risk from cramped conditions in tents and remodelled containers, inadequate health care, even sexual and other assaults. | This Report examined the impact of prolonged mandatory, indefinite immigration detention on the mental and physical heath of children. The findings were disturbing. In short, detention, whether on Christmas Island, Nauru or centres on the Australian mainland, is dangerous and unsafe for children. 34% of the hundreds of children we visited had severe to moderate mental illness, compared to 2% of children in the Australian community. Their health and wellbeing, and that of their parents, was at risk from cramped conditions in tents and remodelled containers, inadequate health care, even sexual and other assaults. |
| Two consultant paediatricians involved in the production of this new report, Professor Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Hasantha Gunasekera, are also speaking at the briefing. | Two consultant paediatricians involved in the production of this new report, Professor Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Hasantha Gunasekera, are also speaking at the briefing. |
| My colleague, Guardian Australia’s immigration correspondent Ben Doherty, will be filing more shortly. In the meantime, the Human Rights Commission and some of those present are live-tweeting. | My colleague, Guardian Australia’s immigration correspondent Ben Doherty, will be filing more shortly. In the meantime, the Human Rights Commission and some of those present are live-tweeting. |
| Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights | Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights |
| Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights | Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights |
| Paediatrician Elizabeth Elliott AM says she fears for these #children if sent back to #Nauru. Very high levels of self-harm, despair | Paediatrician Elizabeth Elliott AM says she fears for these #children if sent back to #Nauru. Very high levels of self-harm, despair |
| Offshore detention the most damaging to children https://t.co/NzGcJEODKv | Offshore detention the most damaging to children https://t.co/NzGcJEODKv |
| Dr Gunasekera says many #children born behind fences in immigration detention - they know no other life https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw | Dr Gunasekera says many #children born behind fences in immigration detention - they know no other life https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw |
| Dr Gunasekera says we can't forget these families have already fled traumatic events https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw | Dr Gunasekera says we can't forget these families have already fled traumatic events https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw |
| @AusHumanRights removing blanket provisions offers asylum seekers in detention some hope | @AusHumanRights removing blanket provisions offers asylum seekers in detention some hope |
| @AusHumanRights would like to see all children and families remain in Australia. | @AusHumanRights would like to see all children and families remain in Australia. |
| Dr Elizabeth Elliott AM says that mismatch between the severity of mental health problems in detention and availability of specialists | Dr Elizabeth Elliott AM says that mismatch between the severity of mental health problems in detention and availability of specialists |
| Prof Elliott has raised 50 severely traumatised children with gov for review | Prof Elliott has raised 50 severely traumatised children with gov for review |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.06am GMT | at 12.06am GMT |
| 11.40pm GMT | 11.40pm GMT |
| 23:40 | 23:40 |
| Cartoonist Judy Horacek has tweeted her cartoon from today’s Age. | Cartoonist Judy Horacek has tweeted her cartoon from today’s Age. |
| My cartoon from today's Age #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/D8Qjgd6REM | My cartoon from today's Age #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/D8Qjgd6REM |
| 11.35pm GMT | 11.35pm GMT |
| 23:35 | 23:35 |
| The first of today’s demonstrations will be held in Sydney, with protesters gathering outside the Department of Immigration and, in the Blue Mountains, the Leura Mall at 12.30pm AEDT. | The first of today’s demonstrations will be held in Sydney, with protesters gathering outside the Department of Immigration and, in the Blue Mountains, the Leura Mall at 12.30pm AEDT. |
| Among those scheduled to speak at the central Sydney demonstration are the NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi and Gaby Judd of Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children. | Among those scheduled to speak at the central Sydney demonstration are the NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi and Gaby Judd of Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children. |
| Protests will begin in Newcastle, Melbourne and Canberra at 5.30pm, and in Perth at 6.30pm AWST. | Protests will begin in Newcastle, Melbourne and Canberra at 5.30pm, and in Perth at 6.30pm AWST. |
| A snap protest has been called for this afternoon in Bendigo, Victoria – there’s more details on Facebook. | A snap protest has been called for this afternoon in Bendigo, Victoria – there’s more details on Facebook. |
| There are two planned in Adelaide – this afternoon at 5.30pm ACDT and tomorrow at 4pm. | There are two planned in Adelaide – this afternoon at 5.30pm ACDT and tomorrow at 4pm. |
| Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston will follow tomorrow afternoon, with demonstrations in Darwin and Central Coast scheduled on Monday evening. Let me know in the comments or on Twitter if you hear of any others organised. | Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston will follow tomorrow afternoon, with demonstrations in Darwin and Central Coast scheduled on Monday evening. Let me know in the comments or on Twitter if you hear of any others organised. |
| #LetThemStay protests planned in the coming days so far – let me know if you know of any more pic.twitter.com/iUOTxeQ1om | #LetThemStay protests planned in the coming days so far – let me know if you know of any more pic.twitter.com/iUOTxeQ1om |
| Many of the demonstrations have been organised by the Refugee Action Coalition as part of “national mobilisations” to call on the government to let the 267 asylum seekers and refugees stay in Australia. | Many of the demonstrations have been organised by the Refugee Action Coalition as part of “national mobilisations” to call on the government to let the 267 asylum seekers and refugees stay in Australia. |
| Spokesman Ian Rintoul said the government could not hide its responsibility for offshore processing behind the high court’s ruling on Wednesday. | Spokesman Ian Rintoul said the government could not hide its responsibility for offshore processing behind the high court’s ruling on Wednesday. |
| “In the higher court of public opinion, everyone knows that Australia is responsible. ... The government has always had the power not to send asylum seekers back to offshore detention.” | “In the higher court of public opinion, everyone knows that Australia is responsible. ... The government has always had the power not to send asylum seekers back to offshore detention.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.37pm GMT | at 11.37pm GMT |
| 11.04pm GMT | 11.04pm GMT |
| 23:04 | 23:04 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| Protests will be held across Australia today against the potential return of asylum seekers who have suffered trauma and abuse to Nauru. | Protests will be held across Australia today against the potential return of asylum seekers who have suffered trauma and abuse to Nauru. |
| On Wednesday the high court ruled Australia’s offshore detention regime on Nauru had been lawfully established, meaning that up to 267 asylum seekers on the mainland – including a five-year-old child, and more than 30 babies – could be sent back to the island nation. | On Wednesday the high court ruled Australia’s offshore detention regime on Nauru had been lawfully established, meaning that up to 267 asylum seekers on the mainland – including a five-year-old child, and more than 30 babies – could be sent back to the island nation. |
| Anglican and Uniting churches around the country have offered them sanctuary at the risk of being charged with offences such as obstruction or even “concealing and harbouring non-citizens”. | Anglican and Uniting churches around the country have offered them sanctuary at the risk of being charged with offences such as obstruction or even “concealing and harbouring non-citizens”. |
| The Anglican Dean of Brisbane, the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt, said on ABC Radio National this morning the decision to offer refuge was because of “irrefutable evidence” that the circumstances faced by asylum seekers on Nauru is “tantamount to state-sanctioned abuse”. | The Anglican Dean of Brisbane, the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt, said on ABC Radio National this morning the decision to offer refuge was because of “irrefutable evidence” that the circumstances faced by asylum seekers on Nauru is “tantamount to state-sanctioned abuse”. |
| The Refugee Action Coalition has organised protests to be held across the country in the coming days to call on the government to let the asylum seekers and refugees remain in Australia. | The Refugee Action Coalition has organised protests to be held across the country in the coming days to call on the government to let the asylum seekers and refugees remain in Australia. |
| We’ll be reporting from the protests today, as well as on other reaction to the high court ruling. If you’re planning to attend a demonstration, please do tweet me from the scene – I’m on Twitter at @mlle_elle. | We’ll be reporting from the protests today, as well as on other reaction to the high court ruling. If you’re planning to attend a demonstration, please do tweet me from the scene – I’m on Twitter at @mlle_elle. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.22pm GMT | at 11.22pm GMT |