Tasmanians rally for rights for asylum seeker Abyan

Australian Women for Refugee Women, Mums 4 Refugees, Denison Amnesty Group and Amnesty’s ARTillery Group are hosting a rally this Saturday in response to the recent treatment of pregnant Somalian refugee, Abyan, by the Australian Government.

Many Tasmanians are concerned about the treatment of Abyan and the denial of her, and other women in detention centres, basic human rights to safety, healthcare, counselling and support services.

The rally will include an art installation and performance designed to raise awareness to the plight of women like Abyan who are held in detention centres both here in Australia and offshore.

When: 10am Saturday 24 October, 2015
Where: Hobart Parliament Lawns
Event contact: Felicity McKay 0449501246

Clara McKenzie from Australian Women for Refugee Women said, “As a mother, registered nurse and woman, I feel duty bound to bring attention to the plight of women like Abyan.”

Abyan was reportedly raped and continues to seek an abortion and appropriate healthcare in Australia.

“She [Abyan] fled Somalia where rape is used as a weapon of war. She is now the victim of rape in Nauru and is pregnant as a result. Alone, and with inadequate care, we believe that as an individual under the care of the Australian Government she must be brought back to Australia, given a protection visa and appropriate sexual assault counselling, medical and mental health care, and access to interpreters. These measures should also extend to any of her family members or children in her care,” said Clara McKenzie.

“The Denison Action Group is a newly formed group interested in a range of issues including the rights of women and asylum seekers. We became involved in this rally because the denial of the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees, like Abyan, is unacceptable. The Australian Government has a legal and moral duty to protect those in its care,” said Denison Action Group member Felicity McKay

Rebecca Lakos from Mums 4 Refugees has this message for Abyan, “We in the international community want you to know that we have heard what is happening to you, we care what is happening now, and we will do our utmost to prevent this from happening to any other women or girls in the future.”

For further information about this event go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/431638190366022/

Come along and show your support for Abyan.

•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 of the rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

The Denison Amnesty Action Group meets regularly on Thursday evenings at the Hobart action centre 1/130 Macquarie St, Hobart. All welcome.
Felicity McKay, Denison Action Group Member