Public Statements
The humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian population in Gaza
This statement provides an update to FASSTT’ s statement “Support for people affected by the events in Israel and Gaza” published on 26 October 2023 [1].
In October 2023, the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) issued a statement calling for a ceasefire and expressing its grave concern that the escalation of violence in Israel, Gaza and the surrounding regions was “inflicting enduring and devastating humanitarian consequences including loss of life and widespread trauma.”
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, of which FASSTT agencies are members, decried the “unprecedented escalation of violence and cruelty in the conflict between Israel and Hamas” and stated that “the international community must place human dignity at the centre of its actions and focus on identifying the paths to prevent further violations of international law, in particular the right to life and the right to be free from torture and other ill treatment.”[2]
Similar calls have been made by many others.
Sadly, they have not been heeded. The situation in Gaza has dramatically deteriorated and violence has extended in the region, including the Occupied Palestinian Territories of the West Bank.
FASSTT is shocked by the humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian population in Gaza. Thousands of civilians, children, women and men, have been killed. Many thousands more are at severe risk of being killed, maimed and injured by violence, disease and starvation.
FASSTT is also dismayed that hostages seized in Israel in October continue to be detained and their wellbeing is unknown.
FASSTT reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire to allow the effective delivery of humanitarian aid and an end to the targeting of civilians, and condemns all forms of violence by any party that breaches international human rights and humanitarian laws.[3]
Our members are supporting affected individuals, families and communities in Australia and assisting schools and other services to be trauma-informed in their work.[4]
We continue to be very aware that millions of people around the world have been and are being forcibly displaced by war and human rights violations, including torture. As the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture remarked to the UN Human Rights Council just one year ago:
The global picture is a desperately bleak one.
I do not need to remind you of the millions of people affected by armed conflicts, where torture is increasingly being applied as a standard brutal practice rather than as a grave crime of exception.[5]
A significant number of those affected come to Australia as refugees and are clients of FASSTT member agencies.
We urge all governments and other actors to work for a world free of war, torture and all other human rights violations.
References:
[1] https://www.fasstt.org.au/statement-on-israel-gaza-conflict/
[2] https://www.omct.org/en/resources/news-releases/israel-opt-gaza-urgent-need-to-protect-civilians-on-all-sides-and-to-ensure-humanitarian-access-to-those-in-need
[3] FASSTT notes that the United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68658415. Calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and release of hostages have been made by Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN e.g. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2024-03-11/secretary-generals-opening-remarks-press-stakeout-the-beginning-of-ramadan; and the Prime Ministers or Australia, Canada and New Zealand https://www.pm.gov.au/media/joint-statement-prime-ministers-australia-canada-and-new-zealand.
[4] https://www.fasstt.org.au/witness-to-war/
[5] https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-torture
- Remarks of the Special Rapporteur on Torture, Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, to the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, 7 March 2024.
FASSTT advocacy for human tights in Myanmar
As a part of our advocacy efforts to protect human rights, FASSTT agencies wrote to the Australian Government in April advocating for sanctions to be placed on known leaders of human rights abuses. Attached is a copy of that letter and the response received. (see below).
Robyn Smythe
Director
FASSTT Letter To Senator Payne 5 April 2022
Minister's Response - 26 April 2022
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Afghanistan Statement
The situation unfolding in Afghanistan is truly awful and is having an enormous impact on our clients and other members of the Afghani community here in Australia and their families overseas. STTARS has signed on to the following joint letter to Parliament that was organised by the Refugee Council of Australia (see below).
Robyn Smythe
Director
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Dear Parliamentarian,
Re: Seven urgent and practical steps Australia can take to provide safety and leadership on the situation in Afghanistan
Australians are watching with alarm as the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan. The events are particularly distressing to members of Australia’s Afghan diaspora who are hearing directly from family members and friends about the terrible violence within the country. There are already many reports of executions, mass rapes and forced marriages of young women and girls.
Years of work to support the education, safety and autonomy of Afghanistan’s women, including programs generously supported by Australian aid, is being destroyed and many people are in fear for their lives. They include people who have worked with Australian and other western governments and organisations as translators, security and support staff, NGO workers and journalists. Members of religious minorities are also at grave risk, including the many Shia members of the Hazara community.
We, the undersigned organisations and groups, appreciate the Government’s existing effort in working to provide visas to locally engaged staff, and ask that you urgently intensify these efforts to help these people evacuate Afghanistan. We believe that Australia can help to provide international leadership through its own response and by encouraging other governments to act. Civil society groups in the Asia-Pacific region, refugee-led organisations such as the Asia Pacific Network of Refugees and members of Australia’s Afghan diaspora have shown wide consensus on seven important and urgent actions the Australian Government can take:
- Do everything possible in coming days to evacuate people who are at grave risk within Afghanistan, including those who have worked for or assisted the Australian Government and Australian organisations (including the embassy, armed forces, NGOs and media), human rights defenders and women and girls whose lives and security are under great threat.
- Urge governments in the region to keep borders open for people trying to flee persecution in Afghanistan, including and particularly Pakistan and Iran.
- Offer additional refugee resettlement places for Afghan refugees immediately, as the Australian Government did in 2015 with 12,000 additional places for Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Canada has already announced its commitment of 20,000 additional places for Afghan refugees. Australia could match this offer and urge other resettlement states to do the same, sending a strong and positive message to states receiving Afghan refugees that the world is ready to share responsibility in the protection of lives at risk.
- As many people are now at risk from hunger and lack of shelter due to their forced displacement, immediately increase Australian aid to the region to support programs to assist people who have been displaced across borders and, wherever possible, support organisations still offering assistance within Afghanistan.
- Extend the temporary visas of all Afghan citizens in Australia, as the Government did in May for citizens of Myanmar, to assure people that they will not be at risk of imminent forced return. As part of this extension, people whose asylum claims have been previously rejected should be supported to submit new claims in the light of the changed circumstances in Afghanistan.
- Extend permanent protection to 4300 Afghans on temporary protection visas, recognising that members of this group are unlikely to be able to return in safety for many years to come and need the assurance that they can continue to live in Australia without the constant fear of forced return.
- Assist Afghan Australians, including people with temporary and permanent protection visas, with urgent family reunion applications for relatives who are at particular risk, as members of minorities targeted by the Taliban or people likely to be targeted because of their connections to western nations. This should include giving priority to finalising family reunion applications which have previously been lodged but are waiting on a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.
We urge you to address these critical priorities.
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COVID-19 UPDATE (May 2022):
STTARS continues to deliver service
The COVID situation still requires a coordinated and measured response.
As always, STTARS will remain operational and continue to deliver services.
Our offices are open, in line with current directives from the SA government.
In order to ensure service continuity we are still also using phone and video-conferencing technologies where appropriate to provide assistance, counselling and other therapeutic interventions where a face to face service is not possible or desirable.
Activities that bring together larger numbers of people, e.g. group events, professional development and training etc. are being run again, with-in the COVID restrictions and limits.
Referring agencies and individuals can continue to refer their clients to our service and are encouraged to do so. We are acutely aware of the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by our clients. It is vitally important that we continue to support them and their communities.
We are following all official government and expert advice. Our Leadership Team meets regularly to respond to any developing situations and we are delivering regular communiques to our staff.
More information on COVID-19 and the current restrictions can be found by visiting the official SA Health website.
On behalf of STTARS, I wish you and your communities well, and urge you to take all necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Robyn Smythe
Director