The Minister for Community Development, Cassy O’Connor, today congratulated the Tasmanian Asylum Seeker Support network (TASS) ( who won the Tasmanian Times Tasmanian of the Year Award ) for winning a Tasmanian Human Rights Award 2013 in recognition of their outstanding work in advocating the human rights of people seeking asylum in Tasmania.
“TASS have been integral in smashing down the human rights barriers that exist between asylum seekers and the wider Tasmanian community,” Ms O’Connor said.
“TASS has harnessed the existing generosity and compassion of the Tasmanian community and has made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of asylums seekers.”
“The hard work of TASS adds to Tasmania’s proud history of assisting displaced persons from all over the world and I congratulate TASS founder, Emily Conolan and all the generous TASS volunteers.”
This award provides due recognition for TASS, who have greatly increased community understanding of human rights through public advocacy of asylum seekers.
As a grassroots, volunteer-based organisation, TASS facilitated regular visits and workshops for asylum seekers at the Pontville Detention Centre. Since the closure of Pontville, TASS continues to provide support and community connections for those living in community detention.
For more information about the Tasmanian Asylum Seeker Support go to http://www.tasasylum.org/index.html
*Pic: *Picture: Founder of TASS, Emily Conolan accepts the Tasmanian Times Tasmanian of the Year award from Founder of Tassie Times, Lindsay Tuffin, August 2013.
