I have got to get out a Refugee Update before the big protests this Saturday
The Combined Refugee Action Group page on Facebook has plenty of information on this Saturday's protests, the paper petition to Parliament, and other information and action you can take.
More than 100 Nauru and Manus staff call for centres to close (GA, 17 August 2016) | 'This is critical': 103 Nauru and Manus staff speak out - their letter in full (GA, 17 August 2016)
'I think I will die here': Nauru asylum seeker who says she was raped begs for medical evacuation (SBS, 15 August 2016)
Revealed: Peter Dutton's extensive briefings about risks and harm to children on Nauru (GA, 17 August 2016)
'Compliant, groggy state': In Nauru's ghost camps, refugees sleep away the pain (The Age, 22 August 2016)
Nauru teacher speaks out about abuse in detention centre (Bega District News, 24 August 2016)
Asylum seekers: Nauru's top court may be forced to decide whether detention is lawful (GA, 18 August 2016)
WA premier says children in detention 'unacceptable', welcomes refugee families (GA, 18 August 2016)
Both Australia and PNG responsible for Manus - Court (Radio NZ, 23 August 2016) | Australia confirms Manus Island immigration detention centre will close (GA, 17 August 2016). "Australia and Papua New Guinea have confirmed that the Manus Island detention centre will be closed but offered no detail on the future of the 854 men held there - except that Australia remains adamant it will accept none of the detainees for resettlement."| Fewer than 20 asylum seekers voluntarily resettled in Papua New Guinea: Peter Dutton (SMH, 18 August 2016)
Manus detainees claim false imprisonment in class action against the Australian government and service providers (SMH, 17 August 2016)
The eyes of the world: Tales of anguish from refugees kept for years in Australia's offshore camps (Los Angeles Times, 23 August 2016) | Former aid worker details abuse at refugee camp (CNN, 17 August 2016) | Danish MP confirms visit to Nauru camp at heart of offshore detention outcry (GA, 23 August 2016) | Folketinget skal studere flygtningelejre på Nauru (Parliament must study the refugee camps on Nauru) (Informatíon, 24 August 2016 - one of many articles, but behind a paywall)| Australian diplomats in UK and New Zealand may be called in to explain Nauru files (GA, 11 August 2016)
The claim that locking asylum seekers up in Nauru and PNG saves lives is bogus (GA, 22 AUgust 2016). "Each person detained offshore in terrible conditions costs Australian taxpayers an eye-watering A$430,000 a year each, according to the National Commission of Audit. Just think how much those people could contribute to Australian society if only a small fraction of that amount was instead spent on welcoming them and getting them into work.
The evidence is clear. The Australian government allocated A$27.8m in fiscal year 2014-15 to support 2,750 'authorised onshore arrivals' (people who arrive in Australia with a visa and then seek asylum), amounting to A$10,100 per person. That much smaller fiscal outlay is repaid many times over as refugees start working and contributing to society, as many economic studies show."
Manus Island bill $2 billion and counting - $1 million for each detainee (SMH, 21 August 2016)
(Ye gods, I haven't even done a post about Don Dale yet.)
More than 100 Nauru and Manus staff call for centres to close (GA, 17 August 2016) | 'This is critical': 103 Nauru and Manus staff speak out - their letter in full (GA, 17 August 2016)
'I think I will die here': Nauru asylum seeker who says she was raped begs for medical evacuation (SBS, 15 August 2016)
Revealed: Peter Dutton's extensive briefings about risks and harm to children on Nauru (GA, 17 August 2016)
'Compliant, groggy state': In Nauru's ghost camps, refugees sleep away the pain (The Age, 22 August 2016)
Nauru teacher speaks out about abuse in detention centre (Bega District News, 24 August 2016)
Asylum seekers: Nauru's top court may be forced to decide whether detention is lawful (GA, 18 August 2016)
WA premier says children in detention 'unacceptable', welcomes refugee families (GA, 18 August 2016)
Both Australia and PNG responsible for Manus - Court (Radio NZ, 23 August 2016) | Australia confirms Manus Island immigration detention centre will close (GA, 17 August 2016). "Australia and Papua New Guinea have confirmed that the Manus Island detention centre will be closed but offered no detail on the future of the 854 men held there - except that Australia remains adamant it will accept none of the detainees for resettlement."| Fewer than 20 asylum seekers voluntarily resettled in Papua New Guinea: Peter Dutton (SMH, 18 August 2016)
Manus detainees claim false imprisonment in class action against the Australian government and service providers (SMH, 17 August 2016)
The eyes of the world: Tales of anguish from refugees kept for years in Australia's offshore camps (Los Angeles Times, 23 August 2016) | Former aid worker details abuse at refugee camp (CNN, 17 August 2016) | Danish MP confirms visit to Nauru camp at heart of offshore detention outcry (GA, 23 August 2016) | Folketinget skal studere flygtningelejre på Nauru (Parliament must study the refugee camps on Nauru) (Informatíon, 24 August 2016 - one of many articles, but behind a paywall)| Australian diplomats in UK and New Zealand may be called in to explain Nauru files (GA, 11 August 2016)
The claim that locking asylum seekers up in Nauru and PNG saves lives is bogus (GA, 22 AUgust 2016). "Each person detained offshore in terrible conditions costs Australian taxpayers an eye-watering A$430,000 a year each, according to the National Commission of Audit. Just think how much those people could contribute to Australian society if only a small fraction of that amount was instead spent on welcoming them and getting them into work.
The evidence is clear. The Australian government allocated A$27.8m in fiscal year 2014-15 to support 2,750 'authorised onshore arrivals' (people who arrive in Australia with a visa and then seek asylum), amounting to A$10,100 per person. That much smaller fiscal outlay is repaid many times over as refugees start working and contributing to society, as many economic studies show."
Manus Island bill $2 billion and counting - $1 million for each detainee (SMH, 21 August 2016)
(Ye gods, I haven't even done a post about Don Dale yet.)