Social Work Students Demand AASW Accountability: Silence on Palestine
The issue
Attention: Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Dear Ms Smith and Ms Ford,
On this World Social Work Day, a day dedicated to promoting social justice, human rights, and collective action for transformative change, we, the undersigned social work students, write to express our deep concern, anger, and frustration regarding the lack of comment from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) on the ongoing harms and oppression faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza. We believe that this silence goes against the values and ethics of both the AASW and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and undermines the theme of World Social Work Day 2024: 'Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change'.
As social work students committed to upholding social justice and human rights, we are troubled by the absence of a statement or action from the AASW in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with countless innocent lives lost, homes destroyed, and communities shattered. The Palestinian people continue to endure systemic violence, displacement, occupation and the withholding and deprivation of basic rights – access to clean water, food, medical attention, and shelter. The Palestinian people have endured years of violence, displacement, and deprivation of basic rights. These directly contravene the principles of social justice, human rights, and dignity central to social work practice. Their plight demands our attention and solidarity.
Furthermore, the theme for World Social Work Day 2024 emphasises the need for social workers to adopt innovative, community-led approaches grounded in Indigenous wisdom and harmonious coexistence with nature. We believe that addressing the injustices faced by the Palestinian people aligns with this theme, as it calls for transformative change that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals and protection and end to Israel’s violent occupation of Palestine and an end to its apartheid regime.
We are deeply troubled by the disparity in the AASW's response to global crises, particularly in comparison to the condemnation issued when other conflicts, such as Russia's attack on Ukraine, have occurred. The lack of commentary on the situation in Gaza sends a troubling message about the prioritisation of certain lives over others; we are disappointed that the AASW has not shown the same level of concern and advocacy for the Palestinian people. It undermines the credibility of our profession as advocates for social justice and human rights.
As an organisation that claims to be guided by principles of social justice, human rights, and respect for diversity, we urge the AASW to take a stand on the issue of Gaza and the Palestinian people. We believe that silence in the face of injustice is complicity, and we call on the AASW to uphold its values by speaking out against the harms and oppression faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
We respectfully request that the AASW issue a statement condemning the violence and oppression in Gaza and take concrete actions to support the rights and well-being of the Palestinian people. We also urge the AASW to engage in dialogue and advocacy efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and promote a just and lasting peace for all people in the region.
On this World Social Work Day, we urge the AASW to demonstrate its commitment to social justice and human rights by standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Sincerely,
Social Work students of Australia
601
The issue
Attention: Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Dear Ms Smith and Ms Ford,
On this World Social Work Day, a day dedicated to promoting social justice, human rights, and collective action for transformative change, we, the undersigned social work students, write to express our deep concern, anger, and frustration regarding the lack of comment from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) on the ongoing harms and oppression faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza. We believe that this silence goes against the values and ethics of both the AASW and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and undermines the theme of World Social Work Day 2024: 'Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change'.
As social work students committed to upholding social justice and human rights, we are troubled by the absence of a statement or action from the AASW in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with countless innocent lives lost, homes destroyed, and communities shattered. The Palestinian people continue to endure systemic violence, displacement, occupation and the withholding and deprivation of basic rights – access to clean water, food, medical attention, and shelter. The Palestinian people have endured years of violence, displacement, and deprivation of basic rights. These directly contravene the principles of social justice, human rights, and dignity central to social work practice. Their plight demands our attention and solidarity.
Furthermore, the theme for World Social Work Day 2024 emphasises the need for social workers to adopt innovative, community-led approaches grounded in Indigenous wisdom and harmonious coexistence with nature. We believe that addressing the injustices faced by the Palestinian people aligns with this theme, as it calls for transformative change that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals and protection and end to Israel’s violent occupation of Palestine and an end to its apartheid regime.
We are deeply troubled by the disparity in the AASW's response to global crises, particularly in comparison to the condemnation issued when other conflicts, such as Russia's attack on Ukraine, have occurred. The lack of commentary on the situation in Gaza sends a troubling message about the prioritisation of certain lives over others; we are disappointed that the AASW has not shown the same level of concern and advocacy for the Palestinian people. It undermines the credibility of our profession as advocates for social justice and human rights.
As an organisation that claims to be guided by principles of social justice, human rights, and respect for diversity, we urge the AASW to take a stand on the issue of Gaza and the Palestinian people. We believe that silence in the face of injustice is complicity, and we call on the AASW to uphold its values by speaking out against the harms and oppression faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
We respectfully request that the AASW issue a statement condemning the violence and oppression in Gaza and take concrete actions to support the rights and well-being of the Palestinian people. We also urge the AASW to engage in dialogue and advocacy efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and promote a just and lasting peace for all people in the region.
On this World Social Work Day, we urge the AASW to demonstrate its commitment to social justice and human rights by standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Sincerely,
Social Work students of Australia
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Petition created on 17 February 2024