Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Caribbean Pink Monthly Update July, 2013


Caribbean Pink
Room Refreshing Service


Monthly Update - July, 2013

Another month has already passed! July started with the creation of a Facebook page for Caribbean Pink: 
https://www.facebook.com/RoomRefreshingService

I was completely blown away by the support that this page received. In less than 48 hours, the page got over 100 'likes' and several offers of practical help! As an admittedly emotional person, I found myself tearing up with joy! Thank you to each and every one of you who have 'liked' the page, and shared it with your friends. Please continue to share the link to the Caribbean Pink page on both Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #CaribbeanPink to help increase awareness and support of this venture. 

Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to present the Caribbean Pink vision to the board of the church that I am hoping to begin running the service through. I am in conversation with the leadership, and hope to have a date for this to happen soon. However, something else happened during the month which I am very excited to share with you all...

A couple of weeks ago I had a fantastic brainstorming session with Allison from Ancient Light. As a result of this conversation, Allison has started the design process of an exclusive candle, unique to Caribbean Pink, that will be available to purchase. A generous percentage of every candle sold will be donated directly to our cause! The candles will be available for a strictly limited time, so keep an eye on the Caribbean Pink Facebook page to find out when and how you can buy one or more of these fantastic environmentally friendly, soy wax creations!

That's the lot for this month. A reminder that if you know of anyone who may want to be involved, either through volunteering in any capacity, or making a donation of goods or finances, please do share this vision with them, and ask them to contact me at caribbeanpink.natasha@gmail.com. I am also more than happy for you to make suggestions, or ask me any questions you might have about the process of getting this service up and running, and how I envision it operating.

Thank you once again for your support. Know that you are an essential part of making this service happen, and bringing some joy to the lives of people with debilitating long term illness.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

A Reflection on 'Inner Work' - In Poetic Form

A few weeks ago I was confronted by an old fear, in a new way. As I sat with this fear, grief welled up, and I had a really big cry. When the tears dried, I wrote this poem. I posted it on Facebook, and it seemed to resonate with a number of people. So, I thought I'd share it with you all, also.

___________________________________________________


I greeted a deep fear this evening.
I chose not to run, 
but stayed a little while, to get to know it.
It led me further down into my soul
To a place of buried grief.
I brushed away the soil that had covered my anguish,
and I sat with it.
I cried.

In time, amidst the tears,
a small light appeared; a warmth.
And I found myself in the company of love.



Sunday, July 21, 2013

Refugees in Indefinite Detention: Fact Sheet


With thanks to Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) for this fact sheet. 
www.unoh.org


Refugees in Indefinite Detention FACT SHEET

Refugees in indefinite detention...
• Have been granted refugee status, acknowledging that they have well founded fear of persecution or harm in their home country
• As part of the refugee assessment, they have been found not to have committed war crimes. • Have been given an adverse security assessment (ASA) by ASIO
• based on classified information that they are not allowed to see • which has never been open to a legally binding appeal • consequently they are being held in detention indefinitely
‘The Australian Government’s firm position is that individuals with an adverse security assessment should remain in immigration detention until they can be removed from Australia, either to their country of origin or a third country, where it is safe to do so.’ - spokesperson for Brendan O’Connor
• No third country has ever taken a refugee with an ASA • Refugees cannot be removed to their country of origin under UN refoulement laws

Recent changes...
• The High Court ruled that an ASIO ASA cannot be used as a reason to deny a protection visa
• An Independent review process was introduced, in which retired judge Margaret Stone would review the ASA’s of the 55 refugees in indefinite detention
• Her findings would be then given to Immigration Minister Brendan O’Conner, Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Dr Vivienne Thom, who are under no compulsion to accept the findings
• In this process, refugees and their lawyers have been given very short summary statements of the reasons leading to adverse assessments
• So far, 2 refugees (and their 3 children) have had their assessments overturned by the Stone review, and have been released into the community. A further 3 (including 3 children), have had their assessments upheld, which means they will remain in detention indefinitely

Indefinite Detention and Sri Lanka
• 52 out of the initially 55 indefinite detainees are Tamils from Sri Lanka • The Tamils, who suffered much oppression under the Sinhalese Sri Lankan government,
fought a civil war against the government which ended in May, 2009, when estimates of somewhere between 10,000 to 70,000 Tamil wounded, women and children were slaughtered by the Sri Lankan army. The UN has called for independent investigations into war crimes by the Sri Lankan government.
• There are continuing reports of human rights abuses by the Sri Lankan government toward Tamils, including abduction, interrogation, rape and torture, in order to gain ‘confessions’ of involvement with the Tamil Tigers (LTTE), information which, given the secrecy of the ASIO findings, potentially could be used by ASIO to make assessments.
• No other country in the world deems it necessary to detain Tamils as security threats. No other country deems it necessary to detain Tamils as security threats
• Viewed from this angle, Australia’s political relationship with Sri Lanka is problematic. While the UN and organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed grave concerns about Sri Lanka’s abuse of human rights, Australia’s main concern is to work with Sri Lanka to ‘stop the boats’, a position which necessitates turning a blind eye to human rights abuses and labeling Tamils as ‘economic refugees’

Letter To My Local MP: Requesting Support For a More Compassionate & Sensible Asylum Seeker Policy


Natasha Collins
[Address Address Address]
[Address Address Address]


[Address Address Address]



[emailaddress@email.com]




Mr Mike Symon MP
Federal Member for Deakin
5/602 Whitehorse Road
Mitcham, Victoria 3132


Dear Mr Symon,

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your service and commitment to the electorate of Deakin. I appreciate and respect that you have chosen to dedicate this period of your life to serving the local community.

I am writing to express my despair at the nature in which both major political parties are treating and speaking about asylum seekers and refugees arriving by boat, and to ask for your support on this matter. I am strongly opposed to redirecting asylum seekers and refugees to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement, ‘turning back the boats’ and to keeping refugees in indefinite detention. I am also disgusted at some of the language that is used when discussing the plight of asylum seekers and refugees.

I have attached two documents that may help you understand why I have come to hold this opinion.

I would particularly like to bring your attention to a few points:

1.    Myth: ‘Boat People’ are not genuine refugees
The allegation that boat arrivals are not genuine refugees is both inaccurate and no cause for alarm. It is inaccurate because, although there are many asylum seekers who are in fact not genuine refugees—between 2007 and 2010 the approval rate for asylum seekers varied between 48 and 67%—most of those rejected arrive by plane, not boat. For obvious reasons, those who attempt the perilous journey by boat are more likely to be genuine refugees. While plane arrivals typically have only a 40% success rate, 85–90% of boat arrivals are generally granted a protection visa.

2.    Myth: ‘Boat People’ are queue jumpers; they take the place of refugees who are patiently waiting in overseas camps
It is not boat people but government policy that is directly responsible for this unjust outcome. Since 1996, Australia has denied one spot from its offshore program for refugees in overseas camps for every successful onshore applicant arriving by air or sea. No other country in the world links its onshore and offshore programs in this way. The policy could easily be changed so that Australia accepts all successful onshore applicants in addition to the number of offshore places already dedicated. This would not result in unsustainable numbers. If such a policy had been in place last financial year (2009–10), Australia would have received a maximum additional 4543 refugees. That would take the total number to 18 313 as opposed to the 13 770 actually taken. This is still well below the level of what most refugee receiving countries accept and is still less than the UN recommended 20 000 places, or 0.1% of our population.

3.    Myth: Asylum seekers are secondary movers, ‘economic migrants’; they could have stopped at safe places along the way
Many of the asylum seekers who arrive onshore in Australia are not secondary movers, such as many originating from China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Timor Leste (East Timor) and West Papua. Nonetheless, it is true that many asylum seekers who arrive from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia travel through intermediary countries before arriving in Australia. However, there is nothing unjust or deceptive about this.

The so called ‘safe places’ on the way to Australia are largely not signatories to the Refugee Convention or do not have the capacity or will to deal humanely with the large numbers of refugees they receive.

Around two thirds of the world’s approximately 10 million refugees remain for years in exile without basic rights or essential economic, social and psychological provisions. The average stay in such conditions is now approaching 20 years. Many refugees in such countries continue to endure conditions equal to those they originally fled. Sexual and physical violence is common. The majority of asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat come through Indonesia and Malaysia, where they have no legal status and risk arrest, exploitation, torture or being returned to a country where they may be killed.


Papua New Guinea may be a signatory to the Refugee Convention, however, it’s commitment to compliance, in practice, has been dangerously weak and inadequate. Furthermore, even the government’s own travel advice states to exercise a ‘high degree of caution’ due to high levels of serious crime.

“Law and order is clearly one of the most pressing demands confronting the nation of 7 million, a point Prime Minister Kevin Rudd acknowledged before his flying visit earlier in the week that set in train this latest announcement.
A woman was stripped, tortured, doused in petrol and burnt to death in February after villagers in the highlands branded her a witch.
The murder rate in PNG is 13-times that in Australia – and closer to strife-torn Sierra Leone, according to most recent World Health Organisation figures – and the government's response has been retrograde threats to impose the death penalty.
Corruption is also rife. The respected monitoring group Transparency International ranking PNG a lowly 150 out of 176 countries surveyed.”

(‘Numbers Don’t Lie: PNG Solution Flawed’ in The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat July 20, 2013: 
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/numbers-dont-lie-png-solution-flawed-20130719-2q8yr.html#ixzz2ZYABI4zl)

4.   Myth: Australia is losing control over it’s borders
No country in the world has greater control over its borders than Australia. While most countries share at least one border with another country and usually many more, Australia is an island continent with vast surrounding seas. These natural barriers make irregular migration extremely difficult. In the United States, it is estimated that there are between 7 and 20 million illegal migrants living inside the country. In the European Union, the number is between 3 and 8 million, and this is increasing by half a million every year. The UK alone has between 500 000 and 700 000 illegal migrants. The numbers are even greater in parts of the developing world. In comparison, Australia has only around 50 000 people unlawfully in the country at any one time, mostly tourists and temporary migrants who have overstayed their visa. As for asylum seekers, there were 5627 unauthorised boat arrivals in 2009–10.34 Clearly, Australia is not losing control of its borders.


That’s all good and well, you might say. But we need to stop the boats in order to stop people dying at sea…


5.   Myth: Stopping the boats will save lives
Turning back boats is not a viable option. It is not clear that the countries from which asylum seekers depart would accept returned boats. Indonesia’s foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, rebuffed calls by Tony Abbott in March 2010 for boats to be towed back stating bluntly that it would be ‘a backward step’. There are real dangers in attempting to force desperate people back into limbo where their most basic rights may not be protected. In a desperate attempt not to be returned, asylum seekers have understandably sabotaged boats in the past, resulting in a number of tragic deaths. This also places Australian naval authorities at risk. Even Australia’s own Defence Department has advised the government that turning boats around would not work and would put lives in danger.

The largest factor in driving asylum seekers to risk their lives in leaky boats to reach Australia is the inhumane conditions they are forced to endure while waiting in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia —this is ignored by deterrent measures such as turning boats back. According to a recent survey of asylum seekers in Indonesia, more than 90% do not arrive there with the intention of getting on a boat. The long, dangerous and potentially fatal journey is the last thing that most families wish to confront. Asylum seekers come to Indonesia to be processed by UNHCR and resettled. They are willing to wait for this to happen. However, when weeks stretch to months and months stretch to years, with no apparent action on their claims, the prospect of boarding a boat for Australia begins to look more attractive.

What about refugees in indefinite detention here in Australia? Surely, this is justified when ASIO reports a failed security assessment? Right? Wrong.

6.   Myth: Refugees in indefinite detention are a criminals, and have been proven to be a security risk to Australia
Refugees in indefinite detention have been granted refugee status, acknowledging that they have well founded fear of persecution or harm in their home country. As part of the refugee assessment, they have been found not to have committed war crimes. However, they have been given an adverse security assessment (ASA) by ASIO based on classified information that they are not allowed to see which has never been open to a legally binding appeal, and consequently, are held in detention indefinitely, with no hope of a release date.

Recently, the High Court ruled that an ASIO ASA cannot be used as a reason to deny a protection visa. An independent review process was introduced, in which retired judge Margaret Stone would review the ASA’s of the 55 refugees in indefinite detention. Her findings would be then given to Immigration Minister Brendan O’Conner, Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Dr Vivienne Thom, who are under no compulsion to accept the findings. In this process, refugees and their lawyers have been given very short summary statements of the reasons leading to adverse assessments. These statements are as vague as, in at least one case, stating that the person is believed to be in support of violent action in some cases.

By this logic, should every Australian who supported our going to war in Afghanistan or Iraq then be stuck in detention indefinitely? Furthermore, we are not a country that punishes people for crimes that they may, but have not yet, committed… are we?

7.   Myth: It is best that refugees in indefinite detention remain there until they can be sent either back to their country of origin or to a third country
No third country has ever taken a refugee with an ASA.
Refugees cannot be removed to their country of origin under UN refoulement laws
.


So, you see, Mr Symon, neither sending asylum seekers to PNG, turning back the boats, or keeping refugees in indefinite detention is actually helpful to either our country or to those who are seeking freedom and safety from persecution and oppression. Please support the call for more caring, compassionate & sensible policy.

Regards,




Natasha Collins

Attached documents:
1. ASRC Myths, Facts & Solutions
 http://www.asrc.org.au/media/documents/myths-facts-solutions-info-apr-2011.pdf
2. Refugees in Indefinite Detention – Fact Sheet

Tash's Brain Fade Moments: Episode 1

For some time now, I've been posting 'brain fade' moments for the enjoyment of my friends on Facebook. I have decided that it's time to 'share the love' and allow the whole world to laugh at those moments when my brain fails me.


Welcome to Tash's Brain Fade Moments: Episode 1

Been a while since I've posted a ‪#‎brainfade‬ moment. I promise it's not because they haven't occurred. I just forgot to post them.

This past Saturday, I was in a tea shop that sells over 300 varieties of loose leaf tea. I have been there a number of times before, & was looking for two particular blends that I had run out of.

Upon entering the shop, I scanned the entire right hand wall, but did not find either of the teas that I was searching for, so kept looking. 

Getting to the back of the shop I noticed a variety that I hadn't seen before. It struck me that it was a loose leaf tea, thinking - "Oh, they have loose leaf tea here too!"

I'll leave you to ponder that.


Monday, July 8, 2013

Caribbean Pink Monthly Update June 2013

Caribbean Pink
Room Refreshing Service

Monthly Update - June, 2013.

Firstly, to begin this first monthly update, I want to say a huge THANK YOU to each of you.
I have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I have received both on social media and by those who I have spoken to in person. Importantly, in passing this idea past a number of support groups for people living with chronic illness, I have been told by so many people who have or are bed bound or house bound, that such a service would truly make a positive difference.

One of those people who has shown me incredible support is Kirsty Arnold, who writes the blog 'Unspoken Conversations', and published a blog about my vision for a room refreshing service. You can take a look here:http://unspokenconversationsbykirstyarnold.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/carribean-pink-redecorating-for-cause.html
A number of others have offered donations of goods, put their hand up to volunteer, or gifted me with wonderful ideas, encouragement and prayer. It truly means so very much.

I am currently in conversation with a local church who have shown interest in this service. Starting the service through a local congregation means that it will be much easier to get Caribbean Pink up and running, and we will be able to start serving the community sooner. I am awaiting contact from the head of the Board of Elders about meeting with them to present my idea. All going well, this will happen at the end of July. Should the board give the 'go ahead' for Caribbean Pink to run as a service of this local church, I will be able to start the process of getting together a team of people. This team will make some initial decisions regarding the running of this service, and begin to do some 'trial runs' before the service officially gets up and running. I have also, in the last couple of weeks, spoken with Paul Arnott, Executive Director of Churches of Christ Community Care (http://www.ccare.com.au/), who will be sharing this vision with his contacts through a regular newsletter. I will meet with him again once the service is ready to begin it's trials, to see if and how Community Care may be able to offer us further support.

If you know of anyone who may want to be involved, either through volunteering in any capacity, or making a donation of goods or finances, please do share this vision with them, and ask them to contact me at caribbeanpink.natasha@gmail.com. I am also more than happy for you to make suggestions, or ask me any questions you might have about the process of getting this service up and running, and how I envision it operating.

Thanks again!

Caribbean Pink Room Refreshing Service - The Journey Begins!

Caribbean Pink 
Room Refreshing Service

About Me

I have always enjoyed, and been good at, rearranging spaces/rooms to make them more comfortable and beautiful. I also have a passion for helping people, seem to have a bit of a gift for counselling, and have achieved qualifications in youth work and community work, along with a bachelor of theology in which I trained in pastoral care.


The Dream
Since becoming sick with a chronic illness myself, I have come to understand how, when someone is stuck in bed for a lot of the time, and for a long time, it can get very boring and depressive. Something as simple as adding something new to the room or changing a few things around in the bedroom, can bring so much joy. But those who are sick so often do not have the ability to do this for themselves, and those who care for them, even if they have a knack with interior design, are unlikely to have the time, energy, mental space, or finances to be able to do much in this respect.

On May 27, 2013 I had an idea. I imagined how wonderful it would be to either create a new charity, or even better, join with an existing charity to create a new branch or project, with the purpose of using interior design to brighten up the lives of seriously ill people who are mostly bed bound or housebound. We would rearrange, organize and beautify one room of the house, probably the bedroom most often, but it would be the recipient's choice, to help bring some joy into the lives of people with serious, long-term illness. 



What’s in a name?
Quote from the film, ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ (2008)
Lily Owens: If your favorite color is blue, why did you paint the house pink?
August Boatwright: [chuckles] That was May's doing. When we went to the paint shop, she latched on to a color called, "Caribbean Pink." She said it made her feel like dancing a Spanish Flamenco. I personally thought it was the tackiest color I had ever seen, but I figured if it could lift May's heart, it was good enough to live in.
Lily Owens: That was awfully nice of you.
August Boatwright: Well, I don't know. Some things in life, like the color of a house, don't really matter. But lifting someone's heart? Now, that matters.