Latest News

Expanded excision law a new low in refugee protection The international system of asylum would collapse if other countries followed the lead of Australia in passing legislation to expand its excision policy to the entire country. Read more here.

Right to work fundamental for asylum seeker families Bridging visas issued to asylum seeker families who arrive by boat must include the right to work to ensure vulnerable people are not left destitute. Read more here.

Detention of children no longer a last resort The Australian Government is walking further away from its commitment to use detention as a last resort for minors by confirming plans to send children to immigration detention facilities in Darwin and Western Australia. Read more here.

People displaced by climate change require new solutions The crisis responses necessary and available to refugees will not be an answer to future displacement caused by climate change, the Refugee Council of Australia said today. Read more here.

Government urged to release children from Manus Island detention RCOA has backed a call by Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers member Paris Aristotle for the Australian Government to ur gently review the policy of keeping children in immigration detention on Manus Island. Read our media release here.

Parliament urged to support Bill to resolve indefinite detention RCOA has encouraged a Senate Committee to support a Bill before the Australian Parliament to provide alternatives to the prolonged and indefinite detention of recognised refugees with adverse ASIO security assessments. Read more here.

Opposition's denial of appeal rights more punishment for asylum seekers The Australian Opposition's proposal to deny asylum seekers arriving by boat access to an independent review of their refugee claim is further discrimination based on their mode of arrival. Read more here.

2013-14 Intake Submission released RCOA's submission on the 2013-14 Refugee and Humanitarian Program is now available for download here. The submission focuses on international refugee needs, the recommendations of the Expert Panel on asylum seekers and community processing of asylum seekers.

Regional refugee protection in Asia-Pacific is unfinished business The Australian Government must step up efforts to improve the inadequate levels of protection faced by refugees and asylum seekers that drive the movement of dangerous boat journeys from Asia to Australia. Read more here.

 

 

Refugee Week theme

Our current theme: Restoring Hope

RCOA has chosen Restoring Hope as the Refugee Week theme for 2012 to 2014.

The theme reminds us that, while a refugee’s journey begins with danger, it also begins with hope. Refugees flee their homelands not only because they fear persecution, but also because they have hope: they hope to find freedom from persecution, and safety and security for themselves and their families; they hope to be given a chance to start a new life and recover from past trauma.

The theme also calls attention to the role of countries which, through offering protection to refugees and providing them an opportunity to rebuild their lives, restore hope for a future free from fear, persecution, violence and insecurity.

Finally, the theme aims to highlight the situation of refugees whose hopes have not been fulfilled – those who remain in seriously protracted situations, facing ongoing discrimination, violence and uncertainty, with little hope for a resolution in the near future. The theme calls on us to consider how we can provide solutions for these refugees and restore their hopes for a brighter future.

We encourage organisations and individuals holding events as part of Refugee Week to link their activities to the national theme.

Why does Refugee Week have a theme?

The Refugee Week theme has a number of important functions:

• It raises awareness of the issues affecting refugees. The theme aims to highlight aspects of the refugee experience and help the broader community to understand what it is like to be a refugee.
• It helps to make Refugee Week a national celebration. The theme provides a focal point for events across Australia, uniting separate activities into a single nationwide celebration.
• It promotes harmony and togetherness. The theme unites individuals, communities and organisations from many different backgrounds behind a common cause. The common theme is a reminder that, regardless of our differences, we all share a common humanity.
• It broadens the impact of Refugee Week. The theme provides a common, cohesive message which can be promoted across the country, helping to maximise the effectiveness of awareness-raising activities.

Past Refugee Week themes

• 2009-2011: Freedom from Fear
• 2008: A Place to Call Home
• 2007: The Voices of Young Refugees
• 2006: Journeys
• 2005: Different Past, Shared Future