MORE than 70 people gathered in Port Macquarie on the weekend to mark Refugee Week and celebrate the contribution of refugees to Australian society.
One of those who attended the Town Green event on Saturday was Greens NSW MP and spokesperson for multiculturalism, Dr Mehreen Faruqi.
Dr Faruqi is a former resident of Port Macquarie, having worked as an engineer at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and is now a Greens MP in the NSW Parliament.
“The Australia that I migrated to 20 years ago welcomed me with open arms.
“This is where I studied, worked and raised my family.
“We need to make sure that we have the courage to offer sanctuary and hope to those who need it most,” Dr Faruqi said.
“I spoke about the harsh government policies that further punish asylum seekers by deterring, detaining and deporting the most vulnerable people rather than a compassionate and humanitarian approach based on providing safety, settlement and support.
“There was much concern amongst the community on the treatment of refugees, especially off shore processing and children in detention.”
The event was organised by the Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group and Dr Farugi congratulated its members for organising the event.
“It’s was great to be part of this initiative to support the most vulnerable people in our community.
“Seeking asylum is a human right. Coming by boat is legitimate and legal,” Dr Faruqi said.
“We must not shirk our international obligations.
“We must provide compassion and safety to those fleeing horrific circumstances with nowhere else to go.”
Other speakers included refugees who have settled in the Hastings and Manning areas, who spoke with compassion about their difficult journeys to Australia and how settling here has given them hope and safety for the future.
One group of Karen refugees spent nine years in a refugee camp on the Thai/Burma border and now live in Taree.
Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group spokesperson Krissa Wilkinson said the group was growing daily with more local families joining its home stay project for asylum seekers.
“We will continue to be a visible presence raising awareness and challenging stereotypes about refugees,” she said.
