The United Nations High Commissioner issued a statement on the 5th December, in Canberra, concerning the repeal of the “Medevac” Legislation in the Australian Parliament on the 4th December:

‘After more than six years of uncertainty regarding solutions, the UNHCR is extremely concerned that the health situation of asylum seekers and refugees will continue to deteriorate.’ 

‘As Australia retains responsibility for people forcibly transferred under its offshore arrangements, UNHCR urges the government of Australia to find appropriate solutions including taking up the longstanding offer by New Zealand to resettle refugees and to prevent further harm.’ (UNHCR Statement)

There are around 500 refugees or asylum seekers remaining in Nauru and Papua New Guinea from Australia's offshore detention regime. After the repeal of the Medevac Legislation on the 4th December, many refugees and asylum seekers forcibly and indefinitely detained offshore on PGN and Nauru will now be denied urgent medical treatment by doctors in Australia. This is a basic human right.

Will the Australian government now take up New Zealand’s longstanding offer that has been on the table since 2013, to resettle refugees from Australia's offshore detention regime?

Please continue to support and share this petition and help to give a voice to the asylum seekers that remain indefinitely detained offshore by the Australian government, some into their seventh year of being in limbo, and still with no safe, permanent place to call home.  

Thank you for signing and sharing this urgent humanitarian petition.