Refugee Radio: Recent Episodes
Steph and Abdul
Can you imagine what it would be like to have to flee terror in your own country, spend days or weeks in a leaky boat on dangerous, rolling seas ready to swallow you at any moment, and then arrive in a new country, where you are terrorised even more?
On the last Refugee Radio show we listen to recordings from https://storiesfromdetention.org.au/latitude with Hani speaking wtih Eghbal (Lina), Imran and Aziz. We finish with the song No borders by Concious Youth. Thanks to all the presenters, guests and supporters of the show over the years. Keep listening to show on 3CR for sotires, music and news from the Refugee community and supports.
We listen to a recording about the Medivac Refugees from the Disability day prodcast. "Presented by Bridget McArthur, Akii Ngo & Marijo Pozega (Chronically Chilled)A deep-dive on the disability cycle created and perpetuated by Australia’s detainment approach to asylum seekers, with a focus on the Medevac refugees, who sought nothing but medical attention and safety but were instead met with imprisonment. 3CR's Chronically Chilled team speaks with Mohammad Mousavi, currently being held in Park Hotel, on his experiences of disability and mental health in detention," We also listen to part of a speech from "Free West Papua - No Victims Climate Warriors here II Raki Apu, West Papuan freedom fighter, outlines the case for indigenous peoples to be the protectors of the planet in this climate emergence at the People's Health Hearings(link is external) as part of the COP26 People's Summit." You can listen to the full speech on https://www.3cr.org.au/solidaritybreakfast/episode-202111200730/free-west-papua-no-victims-climate-warriors-ii-park-hotel
We have an interview with a Refugee activist who is on the border talking about the situation there and poiltics.
We listen to part of the interview "Boe Spearim chats with Diana Sayed a former Afghanistan refugee about the current take-over of the capital of Afghanistan by the Taliban.Diana Sayed is an International Human Rights Lawyer and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights." https://989fm.com.au/listen/programs/lets-talk/lets-talk-2021-episode-129-whats-happening-in-afghanistan-with-diana-sayed/
Today we hear from Joy who is a refugee locked up at the Park Hotel.You will hear about Joy's detention on Nauru, medical neglect and COVID19 outreack at the Park Hotel. Joy hopes to be resettled in the USA, is awaiting an outcome from the application.
We listen to part of the Salaam Radio shows program in support of Palestinian detainees of the popular uprising. Solidarity against the ongoing dispalcement and occupation of the Palestinian people. Listen to the whole show on https://www.3cr.org.au/salaamradioshow/episode-202110241600/salaam-karim-samaraThe Dignity and Hope mixtape is released on bandcamp and all proceeds go to supporting the campaign by @baladna.youth(link is external) Association to defend Palestinian detainees of the popular uprising in spring 2021. The majority of the detainees are children and minors, held illegally away from their families.
We lisetn to the "LIVE from the Kitchen Floor" with Aseel Tayah COVID 19 is spreading through the refugees locked up in the Park Hotel. We listen to The Big Exile by Farhad Bandesh dn All the Same by Moz.
We listened to a song by hani-abdile and yarrie bangura called Poetd We have an interview from the Doin Time show with updates from advocate Simone for the Tamil family. We finish with a song from Ajak Kawi with Life is a Mystery.
Interview from Women on the line https://www.3cr.org.au/womenontheline Updates from Renuga Inpakumar, a spokesperson for the Tamil Refugee Council, speaks about the current threat of deportation thousands of Tamil refugees face in Australia and the impacts of the pandemic on the community.Then, we hear from Nur Azizah who speaks to us about her lived experience as a Rohingya refugee living in limbo in Indonesia as a result of Australia’s operational border policies. Azizah appears in Freedom Street, a documentary(link is external) about the lived experiences and stories of people seeking refuge, stuck in Indonesia, that also deconstructs Australian policy.Freedom Street is currently fundraising, donations can be made at Documentary Australia's website:
This week we listen to a documentary film maker Rihab Charida about her project A Disturbed Earth, in which she embarks on a journey with her father, a Palestinian refugee, back to his home village which was destroyed in 1948. Prodcued by Women on the line show on 3cr in 2016. Please follow the updates around the documentary below:https://www.facebook.com/adisturbedearth/(link is external)
This week we listen to an interview from Tuesday hometime with an update for the family, plus others in detention. https://www.3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday You can keep up to date around the Tamil family of Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni on https://www.hometobilo.com
This week we listen to an interview by Refugees on Air podicast with Rocky an Afghan refugee who is focusing on womens and education rights.
This week we start with some informatino from Voice from Belarus, a quick insight into the issues with people trying to reach safety and now dealing with the new border push back at the blraus border to the "EU".https://voicesfrombelarus.org We remember the Tampa Affair which started a huge Anri refugee policy adn attitude on this land, we will focus on Afghan refugees struggles. We listen to an interview from an Afghan refugee Essan Dileri from an interview from Refguees on air http://syn.org.au/refugees-air-episode-6/ We finish with a song by Hazara refugees at the Refugees for Refugees performance in Brussels. Performaed by Aman Yusufi with the song Amina (Hazaragi song)
We play some songs from Mariem Hassan (Arabic: مريم حسن ; May 1958 - 22 August 2015) A Sahrawi singer/ Western Sahara singer who grew up in the refugee camps in Algeria. We play Shouka, La Intifada Australia Western Sahara Associationhttp://awsa.org.au
We listen to a show from the Spoken word show with Lujayn Hourani a palestian whos family has expiereneced generational displacement. "Palestinian writer and editor, Lujayn Hourani(link is external), shares some of their new work, reflecting on the resistance and resilience of the Palestinian people through generations of colonial violence and oppression.Lujayn is a recipient of The Wheeler Centre's Next Chapter Scheme(link is external), and has been published in Meanjin, Overland, Australian Poetry, Going Down Swinging and The Lifted Brow, to name a few.Lujayn is Associate Producer at Next Wave and Online Editor at Voiceworks(link is external).This episode features music from Jowan Safadi(link is external), Nour Harkati(link is external), and Muqata'a(link is external)."https://www.3cr.org.au/spoken-word/episode-202105200900/spoken-word-lujayn-hourani
We listen to an interview from In Ya Face program on 3cr. Renee Dixson discusses the gaps and silencing that queer refugees and forcibly displaced people experience and why the work of the Forcibly Displaced People Network is essential. Forcibly Displaced People Network – The voice of LGBTIQ+ people in forced displacement (fdpn.org.au)https://www.3cr.org.au/inyaface/episode-202107231600/political-commentator-neil-pharaoh-victorian-pride-centre-chair-hang We listen to a recording from The Walk project about ‘Little Amal’, the 3.5 metre-tall puppet of a young refugee girl at the heart of the project to show the journey of young refugees. Please follow their project on www.walkwithamal.org We finish with a song from a Syria refugee artist MACK- Briding bridges
From Salaam radio show"An incredible event took place in Naarm/Melbourne on the 26th of June 2021, Blak and Palestinian poets, artists and activists came together for a special evening of poetry, performances and discussions. On this show Salaam rebroadcasts this event.Blak Palestinian Poetry night was organized by Sara Saleh, Jeanine Hourani from Road to Refuge and featured a line up of insipiring and estremly talented poets and writers including Micheala Sahhar, Samah Sabawi, Luniyuk, Lujayn Hournai and Tony Birch."https://www.mixcloud.com/Salaamradioshow/salaam-presents-blak-palestinian-poetry-night-26-june-2021/
In solidairty with refugee on hungry strike and one man who has been in detention for over 12 years we listen to music from Ajak Kwai and South Sudanese Refugee and her empowering songs. http://www.ajakkwai.com
We listen to part of a podcast from the Eletronic Intifada about the village of Liftahttps://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/podcast-ep-41-village-lifta-and-expulsion-palestinians We play a song in solidarity for medavac refugees on hunger strike, some have been without food for 40 days and are at the Northern Hospital under guard. Playing United Struggle Song from the compliation.
We listen to speeches from a vigil ro Rajan, a Taiml refugee who has Leukemia and been detained for over 12 years. We play a tamil song about friendship for Rajan; Mustafa, MustafaLook for updates https://tamilrefugeecouncil.org.au
We listen to an interview from the Palestine Remembered show about Candy Royalle who was a Palestinan spoken word queer activist who passed away 3 years ago. http://candyroyalle.com
We start with info about Belarusian anarchists seeking asylum in Poland. We also play a song "Freedom Belarus" from Lyapis Trubetskoy https://freedomnews.org.uk/2021/06/20/poland-authorities-use-neo-nazi-threat-to-extract-information-from-belarusian-anarchists-seeking-asylum/ Updates for the Tamil Murugappan family, recordings played for the family a story and songs for Thrani and Kopika.An interview with Aran from the Tamil Refugee Council from Asia Pacific Currents https://www.3cr.org.au/asiapac/episode-202106260900/fight-tamil-refugee-family-australia-continues Lastly we play a song for the refugees on hunger strike for over two weeks, who had been held in MITA Detention centre in Melbounre. Song by Nine Rose and Fran called Waiting for the light.
We listen to an interview from the Doin Time Show"Marisa then interviewed Human Rights Law Centre Senior Lawyer Josephine Langbien about the depth of Australia's coercive refugee family separation policy revealed in new report, written by the Centre."https://www.3cr.org.au/dointime/episode-202105031600/frontier-war-stories-and-refugees
Please listen to our Radiothon specialSUPPORT COMMUNITY RADIOOur show includes an interview from Shifting the Story https://www.roadtorefuge.com/shifting-the-storyMusic by Ajak Kwai http://www.ajakkwai.com and Rafeef Ziadeh http://www.rafeefziadah.net
First we start with a song for Tharnicaa who is the youngest daguhter of hte Tamil family held in detention on Christmas Island Detention centre. ,Get updates about the familys situaion on Christmas island. https://www.hometobilo.comhttps://www.facebook.com/solidaritywithBiloela/ We listen to the reocrdings by Altaf and Noor, Judge and Roop from Shifting the story "For decades, Australia’s refugee narrative has demonised, alienated, and homogenised our experiences and identities. This has been exacerbated by COVID: refugees are some of the hardest hit by the pandemic, but were excluded from critical support like Job Seeker and Job Keeper, and are left out of the conversation on national recovery."https://www.roadtorefuge.com/shifting-the-story(link is external) REFUGEE RADIO RADIOTHON SHOW SPECIAL TIME Saturday 19th 1-1:30pm
We listen to Tadros from Shifting the story from Road to Refuge. "For decades, Australia’s refugee narrative has demonised, alienated, and homogenised our experiences and identities. This has been exacerbated by COVID: refugees are some of the hardest hit by the pandemic, but were excluded from critical support like Job Seeker and Job Keeper, and are left out of the conversation on national recovery."https://www.roadtorefuge.com/shifting-the-story REFUGEE RADIO RADIOTHON SHOW SPECIAL TIME Saturday 19th 1-1:30pm
First on Refugee radio we listen to a speech from the end mandatory detention rally from the Women on the line program https://www.3cr.org.au/womenontheline/episode-202105170830/free-palestine-end-mandatory-detentionAnd we listen to the recording from the Shifting the story project through Road to Refuge. https://www.roadtorefuge.com/shifting-the-story
We listen to speeches by Refugees and unionists at a BBQ event in May produced by Solidarity Breakfast on 3CR.https://www.3cr.org.au/solidaritybreakfastWe hear an update about Palestine from the Asia Pacific Current program on 3CR with an interview with Reem Yunis a Palestinian refugee and activist. https://www.3cr.org.au/asiapac/episode-202105150900/nakba-day-and-current-uprising-palestine
Remembering Nakba 15th May for Palestinians including generations of refugees and the displaced. We play an interview about the Bukjeh project founded by Palestintian activist Aseel Tayahhttps://bukjeh.com.auProduced by 3CR's Salaam Radio Show https://www.3cr.org.au/salaamradioshow
We are listening to another amazing episode from Refugees on Air http://syn.org.au/show/refugees-on-air/
We are listening to an episode from Refugees on Air http://syn.org.au/show/refugees-on-air/
We listen to part of the interview with Niro who is a tamil refugee talking about his traditional food, his food business and time in detention. Listen to the full interview on https://linktr.ee/DirtyLinenPodcast
We listen to epsiode 5 part 12 from The Wait podcast, the final of this podcast.https://www.thewaitpodcast.com(link is external)The Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations. Next week we listen to an intervivew with a Tamil refugee, hearing some info at the end odf this program..
We listen to epsiode 5 part 1 from The Wait podcast,https://www.thewaitpodcast.com(link is external)The Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations.
We listen to epsiode 4 part 2 from The Wait podcast,https://www.thewaitpodcast.com(link is external)The Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations.
We listen to epsiode 4 part 1 from The Wait podcast,https://www.thewaitpodcast.com(link is external)The Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations.
We listen to epsiode 3 part 2 from The Wait podcast,https://www.thewaitpodcast.com(link is external)The Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations. We also play a song by Syrian refugee MCAK called bBilding bridges, thiniking of the 10th anniversary of the Syrian War and the refugees from that war.
We listen to epsiode 3 part 1 from The Wait podcast,https://www.thewaitpodcast.com(link is external)The Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations.
The family have now spent 3 years in detention. We are decidating this show to two very brave girls Kopika and Tharnicaa.We play some childrens songs for them on the show today. Please keep up to date on the current champiangs below.https://www.hometobilo.comhttps://www.facebook.com/solidaritywithBiloela/
We listen to epsiode 2 from The Wait podcast,https://www.thewaitpodcast.com(link is external)The Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations.
We listen to teh seond part of epsiode 1 from The Wait podcast,https://www.thewaitpodcast.comThe Wait is a five-part narrative podcast, two years in the making. Published by The Guardian and supported by the Walkley Foundation, The Wait is a compelling and innovative combination of in-depth interviews, field reporting, audio diaries and conversations. NEWS: Tharnicaa wins federal court , follow updates on https://www.facebook.com/tamilrefugeecounciloz/ or https://www.facebook.com/solidaritywithBiloela/ We play a song from The Sabreen Group A letter from an Exiled for the passing of Mourid Barghouti a Palestian poet and writer. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/15/mou
We listen to the 70 Million: How the Asylum Process Became Another Carceral Matrix recording from the Making contact podcast and avaliable on https://www.radioproject.org/2021/01/70-million-how-the-asylum-processbecame-another-carceral-matrix/
We listen to new music from Rafeef ziadeh throughout the show this week. http://www.rafeefziadah.net New album Three generations we heard an interview about last year from the Palestine remembered show on 3CR. http://www.rafeefziadah.net/js_albums/three-generations/
We start with a recording from Ramsi who is released from detention by the Australia goverment after 8 years. Released from hotel detention in Narrm/ Melbourne. We listen to multiple recordings about the Climate change bringing on displacement and climate refugees from the Torres Strait. Acknowledging the first climate refugees istart in 2005 who were from the island of Tegu in the Torres strait.
We listen to speeches from Refugee rally about freedoom for refugees detained in hotel detention in January 2021.We hear from Afghan leaders and Moz
This week we listen to another amazing show from the Refugee on air podcast http://syn.org.au/show/refugees-on-air/
This week we have an interview from the Doin Time show https://www.3cr.org.au/dointimeWith Moz a kurdish refugee who explain about hotel detention and COVID 19.We also have a recording from Moz from a few years ago a "NYE request"
This show we have a speech by recently relased kurdish refuee Farhad Bandesh and the song Love byb Moz, a kurdish refugee detained in the Mantra Hotel. We also play some of his tracks including A Smiling Boy, Game over (you cant kill me), Freeom and Cruel policyKEep up to date with him https://www.facebook.com/farhad.bandesh https://www.facebook.com/farhad.bandesh
This show is dedication to a Tamil Refugee who has spent 12 yeras in detention.Since the 10th December 2009, he is yet to be released and has been diagnoised with Leukemia. On the show we play a speech his friend Renuga presented at the UN. Friends have dedicated some songs to him throughout this show. We hope for his freedom and happiness. https://www.mojonews.com.au/cultural-affairs/asylum-seeker-fears-dying-behind-bars-after-cancer-diagnosis https://www.change.org/p/david-coleman-rajan-fled-torture-now-he-has-cancer-please-free-my-friend-from-immigration-detention-53ca48f4-487b-4a4f-9c4b-3449dd513323
Remembering the rist intifada from the 8th December 1987 we are playing an interview produced by Palestine remembered with Palestian spoken word poet Rafeef Ziadah and Musician Phil Monsour. https://www.3cr.org.au/palestine/episode-202011140930/palestine-remembered-rafeef-and-philSupport Rafeefs new album Three generations https://www.pozible.com/profile/rafeef-ziadah About Rafeef http://www.rafeefziadah.net/about/
We listen to a recent interview with Ronny about hsi expeirence as a dispalced west papuan.An interview with the Black Sistaz https://www.facebook.com/theblacksistaz/We play West Papua music and songs in support of west papua from teh Black Orchid strong band, Airileke and Dr Das. #GLOBALFLAGRAISING #FREEWESTPAPUA"Wherever you on 1st December, make sure to raise the West Papuan flag in solidarity with the people of West Papua who are jailed for 15 years just for raising this symbol of their freedom struggle.Send us the photos and we'll share your solidarity with the world! You can print out the West Papuan flag here:"https://www.freewestpapua.orghttps://www.facebook.com/freewestpapua Voice of West Papua https://www.3cr.org.au/voiceofwestpapua
Listening to tracks from Shamindran this week for our final Manus reocrding project show. Finishing while the song Cruel Policy by Farhad Bandesh https://farhadbandesh.bandcamp.com/track/cruel-policy Listening to the archieves from the Manus recording project. This week we are starting to listen to the "How are you today" recordings from 2018. .These men, seeking asylum by boat, were forcibly transferred to Manus Island by the Australian government nearly seven years ago. Now, they are held in hotels or detention centres in Port Moresby, Melbourne or Brisbane. Some have gained safety in other counrties also. We have played a selection from "How are you today?"https://manusrecordingproject.com
Listening to the archieves from the Manus recording project. This week we are starting to listen to the "How are you today" recordings from 2018. .These men, seeking asylum by boat, were forcibly transferred to Manus Island by the Australian government nearly seven years ago. Now, they are held in hotels or detention centres in Port Moresby, Melbourne or Brisbane. Some have gained safety in other counrties also. We have played a selection from "How are you today?"https://manusrecordingproject.com
Listening to the archieves from the Manus recording project. This week we are starting to listen to the "How are you today" recordings. .These men, seeking asylum by boat, were forcibly transferred to Manus Island by the Australian government nearly seven years ago. Now, they are held in hotels or detention centres in Port Moresby, Melbourne or Brisbane. Some have gained safety in other counrties also. We have played a selection from "How are you today?"https://manusrecordingproject.com
Listening to the archieves from the Manus recording project.Throughout August 2020, subscribers received a text message every day with a new ten-minute audio recording from Farhad Bandesh, Farhad Rahmati, Samad Abdul, Shamindan Kanapathi, Thanush Selvraj or Yasin Abdallah.These men, seeking asylum by boat, were forcibly transferred to Manus Island by the Australian government nearly seven years ago. Now, they are held in hotels or detention centres in Port Moresby, Melbourne or Brisbane. We have played a slection from Where are you today? https://manusrecordingproject.comAlso a recording from Manus MEtal man playing guiatr after 7 years being denied access to a guitar!
Listening to the archieves from the Manus recording project. Throughout August 2020, subscribers received a text message every day with a new ten-minute audio recording from Farhad Bandesh, Farhad Rahmati, Samad Abdul, Shamindan Kanapathi, Thanush Selvraj or Yasin Abdallah.These men, seeking asylum by boat, were forcibly transferred to Manus Island by the Australian government nearly seven years ago. Now, they are held in hotels or detention centres in Port Moresby, Melbourne or Brisbane. We have played a slection from Where are you today? https://manusrecordingproject.com
Road to Refuge with Our Pursuit of Happiness Launch "In partnership with The Brotherhood of St Laurence, we supported newly arrived refugee women to create, Our Pursuit of Happiness, an ebook that shares the stories of hope from women who have sought refuge in Australia."/www.roadtorefuge.com https://www.facebook.com/RoadtoRefugeFrahad BandeshSongs The big exhale and Cruel Policy :See media release for Cruel Policy Refugee detained in a Melbourne Immigration Detention Centre releases song calling out Australia's cruel detention policies Media Release 22 July 2020 Kurdish refugee and artist Farhad Bandesh has teamed up with people across the world to release a song titled ‘Cruel Policy’ to mark the 7-year anniversary of then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declaring that no one who arrived by boat would ever be settled in Australia and would be processed off shore. The song is being released on the anniversary of Farhad’s arrival by boat to Christmas Island seeking asylum 23 July 2013. Farhad has collaborated with fellow artists from within the confined walls of the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Centre (MITA) in Melbourne, after spending a year in the Mantra hotel and six years imprisoned on Manus Island. Cruel Policy is co-written by Farhad Bandesh and Jenell Quinsee. It is produced by D.A.Calf and mastered by Grammy nominated engineer Joe Carra. The film clip is directed and produced by Sean Healy and features contributions from across the world – including Stateless actor Fayssal Bazzi, lead singer of Hothouse Flowers Liam Ó Maonlaí and lead singer of Goanna Shane Howard, Damian Callahan, actor, comedian – The Merger, Craig Foster (ex Socceroo), Lidia Thorpe (Senator) and Nick McKim (Senator) along with fellow people who are detained. ‘When we wrote this song, we wanted it to clearly show what a dark policy this is, a dark time in Australia’s history. These people need to be released into the community immediately to live, like we do. Many are now entering their 8th year of imprisonment’ Jenell Quinsee says. Creative partnerships like this is only possible by use of mobile phones. A recent attempt by Peter Dutton to remove these from refugees in Australia’s detention centres will put an immediate end to this, and brutally disconnect communication with family, friends, legal and other support. Despite this attempt, people like Farhad continue to fight passionately for truth and freedom. Farhad says ‘without our phones we would lose so much more hope, it would break our connections to family, friends and support. I would not be able to create and share my love, music, art and stories with the world. We would not be able to communicate what is happening to us. We are also incredibly fearful of COVID 19. We are in a high-risk situation here. It is impossible to socially distance or take control to effectively care for our own health and wellbeing. We need to be released from this high-risk situation. This song is for all of us refugees. We need this suffering to end. Let us out of these prisons.’ Cruel Policy: Cruel Policy - Youtube Media contact: Farhad Bandesh – 0421 961 459
This week we explore the horrible idea of taking phone off refugees in detention, which would also affect other people, you will hear from Moz in the Mantra hotel also in this interview.This interview is taken from the full podcast https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/the-signal/mobile-ban-bill/12694936We hear an interview from Diaspora Blues with "Writer Bior Kuir(link is external) looks at the complexities of the refugee experience in his debut collection ‘Journal of a Refugee’ " Full show on : https://www.3cr.org.au/diasporablues/episode-202009141430/journal-refugee-kids-block-and-yoni-wellbeing Song is from the United struggle CD project with refugees around the world. https://unitedstruggleproject.bandcamp.comDeicated to a refugee who is out of detention after 11 years!
This show has part of a podcast from the electronicintifada.net, remember the start of the second intifada in Palestine on the 28th September 2000The interview is with a Palestian spoken word poet Rafeef Ziadah www.rafeefziadah.net This interview is from a few years ago but has strong messages around palestinan refugees and resistence
This week we listen to Abdul about his life expierence as a refugee, detention and RISE REFUGEE ex-detainess day and demands. https://www.riserefugee.org Ex-Detainees DemandsJan 9, 2020These ten demands represent eX-detainee RISE members campaign to address urgent issues affecting asylum seekers and refugees seeking protection from persecution. The demands identify the systemic changes that need to occur, in order to dismantle unjust laws and institutions that engage in and promote the abuse and criminalisation of our members.Our Demands1. WE DEMAND, the immediate end to detention of asylum seekers and refugees, not for 1 day, not for 30 days, not for 1 year, or any other length of time.2. WE DEMAND, that all currently detained asylum seekers and refugees be immediately released into the community, and be given justice, freedom and proper humanitarian support without delay.3. WE DEMAND, that no one should be forcibly deported or coerced to self-deport to a country in which they will face persecution, torture or death. If someone has been deported or forced to self-deport to danger, they should immediately be connected to an independent organisation, processed, and taken to a safe country. Those who have been harmed should be compensated along with their families. Compensation should also be given to families of those who have lost their lives after being deported or forced to self-deport to danger.4. WE DEMAND, that for refugees seeking protection, countries should create safe passage by:– Providing humanitarian coordination that ensures safety, protection and freedom of movement– Providing proper rescue operations, for refugees and asylum seekers crossing borders by land and sea– Ceasing to dump refugees and asylum seekers in locations where we are not given long-term protection.5. WE DEMAND, that regardless of how asylum seekers arrive, they must be settled into the community. They must be granted freedom of movement and access to a just and humane asylum claim process. This should also include the provision of:– Housing– Free medical and psychological care with comprehensive independent health checks and rehabilitation facilities– Interpreters, communication facilities and appropriate community support networks– Education and Training opportunities– Work rights– Legal aid to assist with asylum claims and applications for protection visas– The guarantee that those accepted as refugees are given permanent protection visas– Upholding the basic right to family and family reunion onshore and offshore.6. WE DEMAND accountability and reparations from governmental and non-governmental agencies and individuals that have created and been a part of the asylum seeker/refugee detention, torture and abuse supply chain. Witnessing the ongoing criminalisation and torture of other refugees and asylum seekers in detention centres adds another layer of trauma which impacts on our mobility everyday both physically and psychologically. Laws should be implemented to stop the detention of asylum seekers and refugees. We must have recognition and memorialisation of the criminal abuse faced by detainees and ex-detainees, as well as deaths in immigration detention centres. Furthermore, steps should be taken to provide additional community and welfare support such as specialist counselling, safety and well-being networks, employment, education and training assistance for eX-detainees in the community and their families. Families of asylum seekers and refugees who died in custody should also be given recognition, compensation and ongoing community and welfare support.7. WE DEMAND, that the creation and implementation of all government and non-governmental refugee policies and laws is done in consultation with the refugee community itself, at both the local, regional, national and international level, for a more sustainable, durable, just and humane approach in providing protection and resettlement for asylum seekers and refugees.8. WE DEMAND, that countries that cause forced displacement are stripped from their decision-making position in the global humanitarian sector. It is an irrefutable fact that the countries that supply the largest proportion of the world’s weapons and military power and consume the largest proportion of the world’s natural resources, are located mainly in Europe and North America. These countries also have a disproportionate amount of decision making power in the humanitarian sector and take in one of the smallest proportions of forcibly displaced immigrants in the world.9. WE DEMAND, that there is fair distribution in the global responsibility to protect and resettle refugees. This includes an increase to the offshore humanitarian resettlement quota by more wealthy countries. There should be an assurance that this quota does not include the numbers of people who have family members who are already onshore. We condemn any individual, government or non-governmental organisation that uses a quota or any other policy or law that blocks refugees trying to reunite with their family; this violates the fundamental right to family that every human being has.10. WE DEMAND, that our voices and the campaigns and initiatives we create for ourselves are brought to the forefront; that non-detainees desist from managing us and speaking on our behalf when proposing alternative suggestions to detention centres. Such proposals and recommendations must be made by detainees and ex-detainees only. WE SAY, the ONLY alternative to detention is NO DETENTION, with FREEDOM, JUSTICE, and proper humanitarian safeguards. As refugees and asylum seekers we have been exploited and criminalised for having survived persecution, torture and abuse; we refuse to apologise for being survivors of this abuse.
We speak with Jude who is invovled in teh Bukjeh of hope project start by Aseel a Palestian refugee based in Melbourne. https://www.theblackwattle.comhttps://www.aseeltayah.com We listen to Refugess On Air http://syn.org.au/show/refugees-on-air/ "16-year-old Syrian Twins Sarah and Maya Ghassali interview Afghani refugee and author Essan Dileri about his life as an asylum seeker in Australia and his book ‘Raised in Conflict: Growing up in Afghanistan’."
We listen to Aziza Brahim new album Sahari with songs about her refugee expierence. "Voiced with deep passion and grace, Aziza Brahim’s music adeptly travels the expanse between her Western Saharan roots and Barcelona, the European cosmopolis where she now lives. Aziza is both a contemporary sonic poet and a prominent and eloquent spokesperson for the Saharawi people and their ongoing struggle for recognition and justice.Born and raised in the Saharawi refugee camps lining the frontier between Algeria and Western Sahara, Aziza’s life has been marked by both daunting hardship and inspired will. Fleeing from these camps and the regime of political oppression that followed Morocco’s 1975 invasion of Western Sahara, as a young teenager Aziza travelled to Cuba for her secondary school studies. There she experienced first hand the deep Cuban economic crisis of the 1990s and the subsequent denial of her request to pursue a university degree in music."Read more on: azizabrahim.com
This week we play at interview about Sabesh from Tuesday Hometime and a historical interview with Sabesh with Jan from Tuesday Hometime. Sabesh was the Presenter of Tamil Manifest for many years and a active person in the tamil community. About Sabesh: "Sabesh Sanmugam came to Australia in 1989 and was on the very next week at 3CR! He had written a political article that had came to the attention of Tamil Voice and they asked for him to read it on air. He was too nervous to read it himself but his career in community radio had now been launched. Sabesh’s wife Shashi also helped in reading the news in English. Sabesh remembers that when their two children were born he would take them into the car in their carport while Shashi would record her section of the Tamil voice in the quiet house. When she flicked the house lights around 11pm, he knew that he could come back into the house with the kids!In 1997, a new show Tamil Manifest was created as the Tamil Voice presenter realised that this show would also provide a window into the Tamil experience for the broader Australian audience and also there was a younger audience that needed to be catered for in English. Sabesh believes that Tamil Manifest may be the only Tamil radio show in English worldwide.Tamil Voice has always been a fantastic raiser of funds for 3CR’s Radiothon. For the last 13 years the Tamils have also done Xmas Radiothons on the 25th of December each year, to raise funds for the Tamil Rehabilitation organization that stage projects in Sri Lanka. For the last four years Tamil Voice has been raising funds on Good Fridays for AUS MED AID to give basic medical facilities for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Sabesh is very proud of the fact that Australian people are supporting the Tamil struggle and Tamils in Sri Lanka through this fundraising. In fact Sabesh believes that the 3CR’s and the Tamil Association’s support of the Tamil program has facilitated much of the current community work being done. In the early days 3CR withstood pressure to not give voice to the Tamils. Sabesh remembers that graffiti was found at 3CR and the city, stating that 3CR supported terrorism through broadcasting the Tamil program.Now in its 22nd year the Tamil Voice program continues to broadcast politics, news and announcements with interviews with community leaders in Sri Lanka and locally. Current presenters are Sabesh, Nesan and Ravi Krishna. The presenters of Tamil Manifest are Prasanna, Gopan & friends. Tamil Voice also can be heard in Sydney and Canberra through the Sydney 24 hour ‘InpathThamil Oli ‘(a Tamil radio station) that calls Sabesh’s house to connect to the Tamil Voice. Visiting Tamil speakers to Melbourne often ring up 3CR to commend the program for its issues and presentations. Political analysis can be read in various Tamil web sites."
This week we are listenting to Refugees on air podcast http://syn.org.au/show/refugees-on-air/
This week we are listening to an interview with Moz who is a kurdish refugee locked up in the Mantra hotel. This interview was prodcued by the Doin Time Show https://www.3cr.org.au/dointime We also listen to a song by Moz called Love.
This week we listen to an interview from Palsetsian adcvoate and her life with her PAlestian friend working in refugees camps in Lebanon. We also get an update about COVID19 in Lebanon for the displaced palestinan refugees. https://www.3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday to listen to the full interview
On today's show, we play audio from Justice for Refugees rally in Melbourne on December 7th, 2019.Justice for Refugees are a refugee organisation fighting for a fair asylum seeker policy in Australia, calling for the government to:End discrimination against people seeking asylumFair refugee assessmentPermanent protection visasFamily reunion rights
Discussion of the film, Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. , followed by an interview with Justice For Refugees
This episode features audio excerpts from Save Medevac - Save Refugee Lives, a rally held in Melbourne on 9th November 2019.Speakers included:Adam Bandt MP - Greens Deputy LeaderBetelhem Tibebu Zeleke - Nauru detention survivor and activistBehrouz Boochani - Kurdish Iranian refugee live from PNGChristine Cummins - mental Health Nurse, ex-Torture & Trauma Counsellor Christmas Island, author if Dignity in a Teacup
A further investigation into climate migration and its challenge to refugee convention frameworks.
Excerpts from the launch of Abdul Samad Haidari's first collection of poetry, The Red Ribbon. This event was held at Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre in Dandenong, hosted by John Gulzari and Writing Through Fences, as a celebration of Abdul's continued commitment to creation and in collaboration with commemoration of the Hazara genocide. Speakers in today's show include John Gulzari, Janet Galbraith and Abdul Samad Haidari via video link from Indonesia. Photo by Sunyata Cousens.
Dr Celia McMichael is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography, The University of Melbourne. Celia has conducted applied work and research in the areas of forced migration and health, including with the World Health Organization in Angola and UNFPA in Sri Lanka.A central focus of her current research is environmental change and human migration. She is currently working with UNESCAP, the International Organization for Migration, the Pacific Conference of Churches, and local researchers and communities on a research project focused on climate mobilities in the Pacific Islands region.She is an invited member of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) Scientific Panel on Migration, Climate and Health, and a contributing author to the forthcoming Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC WGII AR6).
Zacharias Szumer interviews JN Joniad, a refugee from Myanmar who is currently living in Makassar, Indonesia.
Audio from "Let Them Stay! - Emergency Rally in Melbourne: Don't Deport Priya Nades & Girls", recorded in Melbourne on 1st September 2019.Speakers include:Niro Kandasamy, Tamil Refugee Council Richard Di Natale, Greens LeaderCarina Garland, Assistant Secretary of Trades Hall Council
The following is the full recording of the debate on the topic ‘Does Australia need a charter of Human Rights?’ between Gillian Triggs, the former President of the Australian Human Rights commission, and also the newly appointed Assistant High Commissioner to the Office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, and Professor Greg Craven, the Vice Chancellor and President of the Australian Catholic University.The debate was organised by Latrobe University’s Ideas and Society Program, convened by Latrobe University’s Emeritus Professor Robert Manne, and held at the National Gallery of Victoria on the 13th of August 2019. DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast are presented for archival and informational purposes. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of 3CR, Refugee Radio or its presenters.
Umesh from Tamil Refugee Council discusses the case of asylum seekers, Priya and Nades, who came to Australia separately by boat in 2012 and 2013.
Interview with Human Rights Lawyer, Trish Cameron, about recent asylum seeker protests in Jakarta, and refugee issues in Indonesia more broadly.
Recordings from the protest at MITA detention centre, Broadmeadows10th August 2019. Teachers and educators hosted story readings about the refugees still detained in MITA, Manus and Nauru, painting, chant and sing-alongs, freedom bird puppet and origami creating, cake stall, sign making, and lessons in refugee rights. Live audio by Nilanthi.
A recording of a speech by Niro Kandasamy, from the Tamil Refugee Council, at Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) public meeting, The Hidden Hell for Refugees in the Heart of Melbourne on 5th August 2019.
Podcast recording of the event: La Trobe University - Ideas & Society ProgramAustralia and the refugees who come by boat Convened by La Trobe University’s Emeritus Professor Robert ManneTwo of Australia’s most respected social justice fighters, Julian Burnside AO QC and Father Frank Brennan SJ AO have been following Australia’s asylum seeker policy for decades. On many questions connected to asylum seekers who come by boat their viewpoints differ. They speak to the following questions: What should Australia’s asylum seeker/refugee policy be? What ought to be done to help those refugees living in Australia on temporary protection visas? How can the lives of those still on Nauru and Manus Island be saved? And most deeply, how can the cruelty of Australia’s asylum seeker policy be explained?Kurdish writer Behrouz Boochani, author of No Friend But the Mountains, addresses the six year ordeal faced by those still marooned on Nauru or Manus Island. Behrouz believes very strongly that the voice of the refugees has not been heard in this debate. He participates in the discussion of the policy options and the moral imperatives in Australia’s discussions of refugee policy in general and in particular on the fate of those who have been detained on Manus Island and Nauru over the past six years. DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast are presented for archival and informational purposes. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of 3CR, Refugee Radio or its presenters.
We interview Miream Salameh, an artist and political activist originally from Homs in Syria and now based in Melbourne. Our show discussed the current situation in Syria as well as the response of those Syrian refugees who are now living outside of the country, as the UNHCR estimates that 5 million displaced people now are. In particular, Miream gave insight on the current bombardment of Idlib as well as the situation faced by those forcibly returned to the hands of the Assad regime.
We interview filmmaker Dr Mary Zounazi about her current documentary-in-progress, 'Rembetika Blues', which details the story of Greece's rebetika music. We discuss rebetika's role in keeping alive the memories of migration, drawing together diasporic populations, as well as its relevance to current waves of migration and forced displacement such as those of Syrian refugees arriving in Greece.
Poetry and storytelling by Hani Abdile, writer and spoken word poet, who fled the civil war in Somalia at 16, forced to leave her family behind. She made her way to Australian waters by boat and was detained on Christmas Island. Hani is author of I Will Rise, an honorary member of PEN International, and a lead writer for Writing Through Fences. She currently lives in Sydney.
Recorded at the Melbourne Artists for Asylum Seekers (MAFA) Exhibit at the No Vacancy Gallery as part of the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival 2019. Artists and writers Sri and Ravi speak about the situation of Tamils seeking asylum, how art and writing helped them through indefinite detention, and what hope and freedom means to them.
A recording of the Refugee Action Collective "No Mandate 4 Refugee Racism" rally in Melbourne on 24th May 2019.Aran Mylvaganam, from the Tamil Refugee Council speaks about Priya, Nades and their family, now facing imminent deportation.
On today's show, we hear from Awale Ahmed, storyteller, poet and advocate for social justice and refugee rights. Awale shares some of his poetry and stories of his childhood and leaving Somalia during war, arriving in Australia, and reflects on his regular visits with detainees in immigration detention.
Celine speaks to Rachel Roberts from the artist collective Applespiel on their new exhibit ‘Return to Escape from Woomera’, and artist Ali MC on his upcoming exhibit ‘Nong Shain Maw: Stone Breakers of the East Khasi Highlands’. Sixteen years ago a group of Australians rocked the political landscape with Escape from Woomera, a video game putting players in the shoes of a refugee escaping detention. Now the sprawling creative collective Applespiel invite you to make your own bid for freedom as part of a turbo-charged and retro-fitted evening of live gaming, performance, discussion and debate. Each night the artists conjure a live commentary to accompany the gameplay alongside human rights advocates, refugees and the game’s original makers, exploring the ongoing significance of this singular cultural intervention. Applespiel are a collective of eights artists who collaborate as performers, musicians, technicians and devisers. None of its members have any lived refugee experiences, but know that as Australians they’re complicit in the treatment of asylum seekers. Detention has been a political point-scorer since Applespiel were infants, and a defining way in which this nation engages with the rest of the world. Return to Escape from Woomera – ApplespielSeason 21 – 25 May 2019Times 6.30pm Tue – SatLocation Meat MarketAddress 5 Blackwood St, North MelbourneDuration 150 minutes (audiences are able to leave and re-enter the space at any time)Tickets $25 – $35 (plus transaction fee)Bookings artshouse.com.au or (03) 9322 3720Ali MC's ‘Nong Shain Maw: Stone Breakers of the East Khasi Highlands’. High in the mountains of north-east India, the indigenous Khasi eke out a living quarrying stone for shipment to Bangladesh. Hauled from the quarry and broken into smaller sized pieces by hand, the ‘nong shain maw’ – a Khasi word meaning ‘the people who break the rock’ – are paid as little as $2 per day.OPENING: Saturday 18 May, 4pm – 5.30pm EXHIBITION: 18 May – 8 June VENUE: FCAC Gabriel Gallery COST: FREE PRESENTATION: Thursday May 23 1-2pm, Michaels Camera (263-269 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne) LINK: http://footscrayarts.com/event/nong-shain-maw-stone-breakers-of-the-east-khasi-highlands/
Amanda Zivcic interviews Sivan Barak, social worker and committee member of Australian Jewish Democratic Society. Sivan is a social justice advocate with a focus on kinder treatment of people seeking asylum, racism and climate action. Discussion includes the recent Passover Seder for Freedom action outside Border Force, BDS and Eurovision, campaigns on right of return, and diaspora communities.
Stephanie presents a series of songs composed and sung by refugees to Australia, including Wafia, and Moz.
Celine interviews Professor Klaus Neumann, about changing attitudes and policies to asylum seekers in Germany in recent years. He talks about immigration policy in Australia since the 1990s, the evolution of mandatory detention, and its precedent in the internment camps of the 1930s and 40s. We hear about the Seebrücke ("Sea Bridge") protest movement, and a new groundswell of support for creating a means of safe passage for asylum seekers into Germany and other countries in the EU. Neumann expresses his hope to see the introduction of the language of human rights into the discourse of refugee activism in Australia, and what he sees as the limitations of "compassion" alone.This interview was recorded in October 2018.
Audio recorded at the 2019 Justice for Refugees Palm Sunday Rally in Melbourne. Speakers include (in order of appearance):Mohamed MohideenBehrouz BoochaniRichard FlannaganNyadol NyuonLavanya ThavarajaTaqi AzraMichele O'Neil
Refugee Radio speaks with Mozhgan, co-founder of Refugees & Asylum Seekers Information Centre (RAIC) in Indonesia. RAIC provides services and information for refugees, and is run almost entirely by refugees.http://raicindonesia.org
Amanda talks with Holly, from No Pride in Detention, about the intersection of queer rights and refugee rights.
Today we interviewed refugee rights activist Mark Goudcamp on his recent trip to visit the refugee camps in Greece, and also Maria Mouratidou, originally from Greece herself, who expounded on the community's generous response to the refugee crisis. Mark spoke about how the camps situation has become progressively worse and overcrowded since the signing of the EU deal with Turkey in 2016. Maria explained the progression of responses to the influx of refugees since before 2015 to the current day. They both highlighted the need for volunteers and recommended several organisations for anyone interested in helping out: City Plaza Hotel in Athens: https://www.facebook.com/sol2refugeesen/ Pikpa Solidarity Camp in Lesbos: https://www.facebook.com/pikpalesvos/ Alkyone Day Centre in Thessaloniki: https://www.facebook.com/alkyonedaycenter/Refugee Accomodation and Solidarity Space City Plaza: https://www.facebook.com/sol2refugeesen/
Refugee Radio's Celine interviewed this amazing woman, Gillian Triggs, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. She spoke about the need for a Human Rights Charter in Australia, how the everyday citizen can help make a change for fair treatment of asylum seekers and refugees, and what career she would choose if she could do it all again.
Refugee Radio talks with Sister Patricia Fox, nun and human rights campaigner, about her work with displaced people in the Philippines. Sister Patricia was deported to Australia for speaking out against human rights abuses by the Philippine government. She calls on the Australian Government to take action on Australian resource companies whose projects she said were displacing tribal people.
Amanda interviews Lou Tona, President of Pascoe Vale FC, to discuss the campaign to bring Hakeem al-Araibi home.
Achol Nai speaks about the hurtful effect of the 'sudanese gang' rhetoric on the sudanese community, the mental health toll of racism directed at individuals, and what can be done moving forward to build hope for Sudanese youth.
Elaine Pearson is the Australia Director at Human Rights Watch. Based in Sydney, she works to influence Australian foreign and domestic policies in order to give them a human rights dimension. Pearson regularly briefs journalists, politicians and government officials, appears on television and radio programs, testifies before parliamentary committees and speaks at public events. Pearson writes frequently for publications including Harper's Bazaar, the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal. She is an adjunct lecturer in law at the University of New South Wales. From 2007 to 2012 she was the Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division based in New York. Prior to joining Human Rights Watch, Pearson worked for the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kathmandu and London. She is an expert on migration and human trafficking issues and sits on the board of the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women. Pearson holds degrees in law and arts from Australia's Murdoch University and obtained her Master's degree in public policy at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Matthew Leroy speaks about ways to change the rhetoric in Australia surrounding refugees, and how they are represented in the media. He also compares Austrian v.s Australian approaches and responses to border politics in their respective countries.
Sherrine Clark, Director of Humanitarian Services at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) speaks about the services and programs available at the ASRC for people seeking asylum living in the community. She also touches on her journey with the ASRC from its very beginning, and how people can contribute and support the ASRC programs in a range of accessible ways.
The ASRC Foodbank operates as a free grocery store for asylum seekers who have nowhere else to turn for food and basic shopping items.The foodbank provides food for over 700 individuals a week! If you would like to donate to the foodbank, it's a really easy process for anyone who would like to help, just throw in a few extra cans of tinned tomatoes or lentils into your next grocery shop, and deliver to the ASRC Level 1, 218 Nicholson St, Footscray, Victoria. Or alternatively, there is an online Coles option which will deliver it for you. Check out the details on their website asrc.org.au, or their facebook page www.facebook.com/pg/ASRCFoodbank. This is the list of things they need!Canned diced tomatoesCanned chickpeasCanned kidney beansCoconut creamHealthy breakfast cerealsGreen teaHoney (in small jars)Healthy snacks - nuts, seeds, muesli bars, crackersUHT milk (preferably full cream)Pasta & pasta sauceTinned fish in oilDishwashing liquidLaundry powderShaving itemsShampooGift cards for department stores (e.g. Kmart, Big W, Target, etc)International calling cards (choose good rates for Middle East, Sri Lanka, Asia, Africa etc)Please no tampons, canned soup, baked beans or canned spaghetti
The Professional & Vocational Mentoring Program is a 12 month program which brings together people seeking asylum, and volunteer mentors from the vocational, professional and business sectors, to create a Mentoring Partnership."At the moment we are looking for mentors such as mechanical engineers, environment protection professionals, medical doctors, electrical engineers, biologists, and construction management professionals."If you, or anyone you know would like to get involved, please contact the ASRC Mentoring Program at mentoring@asrc.org.au, and check out their website at www.asrc.org.au/mentoring/.
The ASRC Entrepreneurs Program builds on the patience and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum to help them build the skills to become successful entrepreneurs, or create their own small business. The participants are provided with a personalized program with access to business coaching, industry specialists, business services, funding and networks so they can decide whether the entrepreneurial path is right for them and if so, start the path to making their business dream a reality. "Interestingly, we are dealing with a community who really embrace risk, you look at the journey they have taken, to leave their country, to get on a boat, get on a plane.....the risk appetite is quite high, which can be a good or bad thing, but generally good. We know that in new arrivals, immigrants, refugees, people seeking asylum, there is generally a higher ratio of people going into business, it's roughly three times the size of normal mainstream, about 30% give or take. The ability to takes risks, bounce back from failure. In small business, you've got to be resilient to failure, pick yourself up, try something else, and have persistence. All of those attributes are synonymous with the community we work with. "
Gayle Carr, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre's Community Engagement Manager speaks about their strategy 'Right Track', a community led movement working together to shift attitudes towards people seeking asylum. She outlined the research behind using the right words and phrases particularly for language used in human rights campaigns. She explained that each and every one of us can initiate change in our own communities by having conversations using a simple framework.
Artist Tadros Hanna speaks about his life journey, leaving Egypt with his 2 children to seek safety and a home in Australia. He shares his hopes for the future, his undying belief in the kindness of humanity, and the importance of giving back to the community in whichever way you can.
Mostafa Azimitabar, a Kurdish asylum seeker who has spent four years in the notorious Manus Island Detention Centre has recorded a song about his experiences.Mostafa, or 'Moz', recorded the vocals on a mobile phone, as well as footage for the accompanying music videos. As part of Julian Burnside's asylum letter writing project Moz was put into contact with a group of Australian musicians who helped turn the vocals into a complete orchestral hip-hop track which was released on Wednesdday 30th August as part of the Queensland Poetry Festival's Through the Wire event. The process of collaboration between Moz and the musicians was headed up by Dr Emma O'Brien, a specialist in collaborative song-writing. Dr O'Brien is interviewed by guest presenter Jackson McInerney.www.ourhumanity.xyz
Today on Refugee Radio we had the pleasure of speaking to Michael Green, the project coordinator for Behind the Wire - about the newly launched Messenger podcast series, sharing the story of Aziz, a refugee on Manus Island, in his own words - created in partnership with the Wheeler Centre. Listen to the Messenger podcast series here:www.wheelercentre.com/broadca…/podca…/the-messenger
In this week's episode we spoke to Mohammad, a refugee who fled his home and was placed in detention for three years. " I was different. ..imagine if you had to fight for something you don't believe in,...but it's worse to kill someone for something you don't believe in. I looked at my friends and I thought to myself, ' I'm not gonna fight them, I'm gonna leave'." "When you are in detention, the stronger you are, the sooner you get weak. You'll use your energy and your power against yourself. If you read the book 'Man's Search for Meaning'..in the Nazi concentration camp, the stronger you are, you will survive- because they use you for physical labour. But in the Aussie concentration camps it's completely different. They put you there, ask you to do nothing, and just wait..for years. The hardest thing in the world is doing nothing. If you do nothing for a long time, you become like the walking dead."
Today on Refugee Radio we had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Hawzhin Azeez, a former University of Newcastle academic and now a central figure on the Kobane Reconstruction Board. She spoke about the Kurdish fight for Democratic confederalism and their aims to build a strong community using the pillars of multiculturalism, feminism and ecological sustainability. She spoke about their efforts at maintaining a livable situation in Kobane to care for the refugees coming through and encourage them to stay and build a safe and strong community.
Today we had the great pleasure of speaking to Koky Saly. Koky was born in prison during Cambodia’s civil war in the 1970s, and escaped with his family as refugees to Australia when he was 3 years old. Koky spoke about how his mother passed on to him the steady belief in the kindness that dwells in each and every human being. Koky’s sister and best friend Sophia Saly passed away from cancer in 2012. He spoke about the courage with which she faced death, and how that has inspired him to live a fearless life. They shared the dream of creating a social enterprise to fund schools and protect the world’s environment. In her will Sophia left Koky her car and requested that he used the proceeds to create a business that would inspire change - that’s how BeeKeeper was born. Check out their website here, beekeeperparade.com/, www.facebook.com/BeeKeeperTM/ and keep an eye out for their pop up shop at Melbourne Central, opposite Kikki.
Celine interviews Daniel McAvoy, a lecturer on Humanitarian Settlement from Deakin University.Daniel spoke about his experiences working as an aid worker at refugee camps, and also on current migration policies in Australia,-especially focusing on the politics of fear, and the hsitory of Australia's treatment of migrants. He also spoke about the differences of the world's reaction to the refugee crisis in the present day as compared to the aftermath of WWII.
Reza interviewed Jette, the acting Executive Director of the Squeeky Wheel. Among a host of other things, they fix up used bikes and make them road worthy, donate them to asylum seekers and refugees in the community, and do a training course on how to ride on the roads safely. They also bring together volunteers and mentors to teach people to ride who have never ridden a bicycle before. If you would like to volunteer to mentor someone in the program, please contact them through their website-thesqueekywheel.com.au.
Amanda interviews Adelaide-based refugee rights activist Ali Reid, who returned towards the end of last year from volunteering in Calais, inside the makeshift refugee camp known as The Jungle. She spoke with her about her time in the refugee camp, and her observations on the development of the situation both in Calais itself, as well as the broader trend of the movement of people across the rest of Europe and the UK.
Reza interviews Rohulla Hussaini, a Hazara asylum seeker from Afghanistan. Rohullah rode his bike from Swan Hill (Victoria) to Canberra 2 times to deliver a petition to the House of Representatives. He also met with people along the way to tell them why asylum seekers are coming to this country. Rohullah never had a bike back home in Afghanistan, the first time he rode a bike was his trip to Canberra.
Amanda interviews refugee rights activist Karol Florek. Karol is originally from Poland and moved to Australia when he was 6 years old, but has been living in England for the last fifteen months. He is a long term activist and has been an active organiser and participant in various campaigns both in Australia and in England, and is currently involved with the group Australians and Allies Overseas Against Mandatory Detention. He spoke with us today about his perspective and experiences of the refugee rights movement in the UK, as well as the relationship between the anti-war movement and the refugee campaign in England.
Today we interviewed Andre and Donna from the Behind the Wire project. Andre spoke about the importance of having an ethical framework and platform from which refugees and asylum seekers are welcome and comfortable to tell their stories, and Donna spoke about the bravery of her parents' decision to flee with their children to Australia, only to face the horrors of mandatory detention. One of the most important insights she had concerning mandatory detention was that ideally the Australian Government should work with the different community groups and organisations to welcome refugees and asylum seekers instead of making decisions as a separate entity. "Australia is full of community groups and organisations just trying to make the world a better place, a place they dream it should be" she said.
Celine interviews Dana Affleck, Founder of Road to Refuge, and also the ASRC's Youth Coordinator. She was nominated for this year's The Weekly Review's Local Hero. She shared some great insight and advice on how to speak to family and friends about asylum seekers and refugees, and about what motivated her to dedicate so much of her time to this cause. It was such a pleasure speaking to her as I believe what she had to say was super helpful and important for the everyday work of refugee advocates.