Leading human rights barrister Julian Burnside will be at the Gala cinema in Warrawong on Saturday for a one-off screening of his film Border Politics.
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The film follows Burnside as he traverses the globe examining the harsh treatment meted out to refugees by most Western democracies.
Refugee Action Collective (RAC) Illawarra is screening the film, which challenges Australia’s refugee policies, on November 17 from 4.15pm.
RAC Illawarra spokesperson Marion Jacka said this contemporary story was about the “threat to human rights, the loss of democratic values and our increasingly heartless treatment of ‘the other’.
The Sydney Morning Herald, which gave the film four stars, was glowing in its praise, stating “Border Politics cuts through the fear and disinformation to show the failings of Australia’s official policies towards refugees”.
Ms Jacka said there were signs Australians were increasingly rejecting the inhumane treatment of refugees held in indefinite detention on Manus Island and Nauru for over five years.
“While the Morrison Government is moving to take children off Nauru, around 1300 adults remain on Manus and Nauru with little hope of resettlement and with the mental health of many deteriorating,” she said.
“Further the children and families brought to Australia have no guarantees of long term protection and resettlement.
“The screening of this film provides a unique opportunity for the Illawarra community to reflect on what is being done in our name and to renew calls to our leaders for humanity to prevail over scaremongering and perceived political gain.”
There will be a Q&A with Burnside, who is one of the most outspoken defenders of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and a fierce critic of Australian government policy, after the screening.
Tickets available from FanForce and RAC Illawarra Facebook page.