Senator Abetz’s office: Operation Teddy Bear (Tomorrow June 9)

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Tas Refugees’ Rights Network

Operation Teddy Bear (Tomorrow June 9)

The Amnesty International Tas Refugees’ Rights Network is using the happy childhood memories of Australians to highlight concerns about the inhumane detainment of children in detention centres in Nauru. We understand that there are currently 90 children in detention, who are missing out on the childhoods that most of us took for granted. Not only have these children lost homes and family members, many of them continue to be subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

The Operation Teddy Bear campaign has collected the joyful childhood memories of concerned individuals to demonstrate what children in detention are missing out on. Slips of paper with these memories have been attached to the teddy bears, the ultimate childhood companion.

Co-convenor of the Amnesty International Tas Refugee Rights’ Group, Carol Bristow, said “teddy bears are usually associated with the joy and security of a happy childhood.”

“We have one for each child in detention to remind the government what it is they’re really locking up,” Ms Bristow said.

The teddy bears will be delivered to the office of Senator Eric Abetz, Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Employment, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, to show the federal government that Australians will not stand by while 107 children are locked up and robbed of a childhood.

EVENT DETAILS

What: The delivery of the teddy bears to Senator Eric Abetz in protest against the detainment of children in detention
When: Tuesday, 9 June 2015 at 11am
Where: Senator Eric Abetz’s office at Highbury House, 136 Davey Street, Hobart.

Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people campaigning to protect human rights. We have a vision of a world in which every person enjoys all the rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

The Amnesty International Tas Refugees’ Rights Network meets on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Amnesty building, 130 Macquarie St. The network regularly holds public events to engage with community members on human rights issues. All welcome to join.
Carol Bristow, Georgi Marshall