The world watched with agony and heartbreak the pictures of the young Syrian child refugee who drowned and was washed ashore on Turkish beaches. The picture of Aylan Kurdi’s tender small body lying face down with his little red T-shirt captures the extent of the human tragedy in Syria. His parents attempted to protect him and his five year old brother from the hell hole in Syria and escape to a safer land. But little did they know of what would face them.

Aylan was washed ashore cold, alone and lifeless. It is only logical to risk your life if your life was threatened in the first place. The Syrian refugees are not economic migrants but rather people fleeing for their lives.  

Millions of men, women and children are fleeing the Middle East and Africa to find safety. Australia must no longer turn a blind eye to their plight and must work with other European Union countries to set and welcome a quota of refugees. Since we participated in military action in Iraq and Syria, we must also take our fair share of responsibility towards the refugee crisis. 

We are asking the Australian Government to take a share of the responsibility of dealing with this global refugee crisis. We are asking the Australian Government to accept a quota of Syrian refugees.