MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday, 23 April 2005
Despair in detention - but union movement calls for release of Baxter Asylum Seeker

Peak union bodies, including the ACTU and the Victorian Trades Hall Council, and union leaders from around Australia are backing a campaign calling for the release of an Iranian asylum seeker, Daryoush Nejad, who has been in detention for four years.

Although reviews of asylum seeker cases has seen the release of up to 23 Baxter detainees released over the past ten days, an immigration officer has rejected the review of Daryoush's application.

The rejection has devastated Daryoush and some other Baxter detainees who had high hopes following the release of so many other asylum seekers in the past few days.

Daryoush was taken to Port Augusta hospital on Friday afternoon (22 April) after taking a tablet overdose after receiving news of his rejection.

Refuge advocates have condemned the government for its abuse of long-term asylum seekers. "Even government back-benchers are now calling for the release of asylum seekers while their claims are processed.," said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.

Kevin Bracken, Victorian secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, said," We call on the government to release Daryoush and others like him. All the structures that should protect people are being dismantled by this government. How can the government consider sending a union activist back to a country like Iran? Daryoush is an electrician but the government is paying money to a company to keep him locked up when he could be gainfully employed and ease the skills shortage. It doesn't make sense."

Dean Mighell, Victorian state secretary of the Electrical Trades Union said, "Trade unionists in Australia well understand that as a unionist in Iran, Daryoush would have genuine fears for his life if was to be returned to that country. I would hate to think that the government of this country is taking their anti-union attitude to victimize workers who are genuine refugees."

"Revelations over the treatment of Cornelia Rau gave the public a glimpse of how people are treated behind the razor wire of Baxter. It is nothing less than institutionalised abuse," said Julie Smith, spokesperson for the Australia Asia Worker Links refugee project.

A rally in support of Daryoush is planned as part of Melbourne's May Day celebrations, 1 May, 2.00pm assembling at Victorian Trades Hall.

For more information contact:
Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
Jerome Small 0437 197 871
Julie Smith 0410 172 716