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| A petition was launched on the internet for about two weeks.
The response was great. Some of the organizations have collective signatures,
each representing hundrerds and in some cases thousands of memebers. Among the
individuals some prominant and reputable sources have also signed the petition.
APA representatives have faxed their support to our main office and some who have
access to computers have sigend indivdually as well. APA-affliated organizations
around the world consisting of about 120 organizations have also faxed their support
to our main Eorpean branch in Hannover-Germany whos total number of members exceeds
tens of thousands which is simply beyond the patience of the e-mail capacity to
be listed. In any case , the APA will start submitting it to the below-mentioned
institutions. We hope this effort will bear fruit for our fellow Afghans in Australian
detention centers to be freed and treated humanely and justly. To the
UNHCR:
"For the past several months, the US news media have been focused,
almost entirely, on the extensive coverage of the US military campaign in AfghanistanConsequently,
the plight of the hundreds of Afghan asylum-seekers who have been arrested on
board ships heading towards Australia has been completely ignored by the US media.
Some segments of the international press, however, have reported some very horrific,
albeit scanty, accounts of the terrible ordeals faced by the Afghan asylu Encouraged
by the US crushing of the Taliban regime, the Australian authorities have stopped
processing the asylum applications of these Afghans, while still keeping them
in illegal detention. As a result, these Afghans have gone on hunger strike. Many
human rights organizations and other social and political entities, both within
Australia and outside, have expressed grave concern over the insensitive attitude
of the Australian authorities towards the extremely precarious conditions of these
unfortunate Afghans. While world public
opinion is gradually building up in
support of the Afghan asylum-seekers, itis extremely important that all Afghans
who are now settled in safety should voice their strong protest against the discriminatory
policies of the Australian Government towards Afghans. By signing your name under
this appeal, you will join the thousands of other potential protesters who would
call on the Government of Australia to reverse its policies on the Afghan asylum-seekers,
and to ensure their human and equitable treatment. You would also call on the
local, regional and international organizations concerned with human right and
refugee issues to increase their efforts for ensuring the safety and well-being
of these Afghans, and for protecting their dignity and other human rights. Please
sign your name to help alleviate the agony of your distressed compatriots in the
prison islands."
Afghanistan Peace Association
Human
Rights Committee of the Social Services This
petition has been signed by over 550 people |
