FLOTILLA OF HOPE CALLS FOR THE CLOSURE OF ALL DETENTION CENTRES

The Flotilla of Hope welcomes the Australian Senate's call for the closure of the Nauru detention centre.

Indeed, it calls for the immediate closure of all of Australia's detention centres, particularly those established under the Howard Government's "Pacific Solution", including those at Manus Island, Lombok and Christmas Island (currently excised from the Australian mainland) and not just simply replacing the "Pacific Solution" with an "Indian Ocean Solution".

The Flotillas of Hope are taking their protest to Nauru, setting sail in mid-May to arrive on 20 June 2004, UN World Refugee Day.

Flotilla spokesperson, Stavros Georgopoulos, who initiated the campaign, explained, "We are sailing to Nauru to protest all of Australia's detention centres, and to call attention to the plight of the asylum seekers incarcerated in them."

The Flotilla crew are hoping that all of the centres in will be closed prior to their scheduled departure date. "If the detention centres were closed" Georgopoulos said, "we wouldn't have to take the risk involved in sailing to Nauru, and could get on with our busy lives. But we are all so ashamed of Australia's treatment of the asylum seekers that we feel compelled to speak out."

The Flotilla departs Australia in mid-May and will sail directly to Nauru.

The action has global support and will be far-reaching. The Flotilla is endorsed by the NSW Teachers’ Federation, Rural Australians for Refugees, The Greens (NSW and Qld), and many other state and national organisations. While the Flotilla currently consists of three boats, more are welcomed. It has a list of over 50 people who are trying to find boats to crew.

Coordinator, Ruth Boydell said, “We intend to go to Nauru to offer hope for the people incarcerated there, and to draw attention to Australia’s disrespectful treatment of the Nauruan people. We have no wish to break any laws. Our voyage is a peaceful one.”

For more information:

Website: www.flotilla2004.com