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Javed Badyari/The Indefinite Sleep-out
Manage episode 279940565 series 2814327
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Could you imagine 553 days spent in detention, which is currently the average length of stay for those seeking asylum in Australia. How about 3650 days, bereft of almost all forms of freedom? This is, so far, the longest someone has spent in Australian immigration detention. Today, we are unveiling someone who has tried their best to get a taste of this contemporary form of suffering. Javed Badyari, as well as his close friends, have founded the 'Indefinite Sleep-out to End Indefinite Detention' campaign, a local Wollongong movement which is aiming to shine a light on the plight of refugees dwelling under the iron thumb of Australia's draconian immigration policies. Over the years, these fellow humans have been flippantly referred to as 'boat people' and 'illegals' by xenophobic and fear-mongering arms of the media and political establishment, but the efforts of people like Javed have begun to flip the script. For the past 489 days (at the time of recording: 13 Dec 2020) Javed and many others have left the comfort of their houses and opted instead to sleep on the streets of Wollongong, on their balconies or in their backyards. And, for now, they have no plans to cease this practice, highlighting the indefinite, distressing and uncertain nature of a refugee's life. 'The saddest part of all is to hear of them losing hope.'
During the podcast we speak about how this campaign began and what it has demanded of those involved. We discuss the predicament that asylum seekers have found themselves in the minute that they reach Australian shores (or are intercepted before hand). Javed gives his reasons for keeping the protest peaceful, or relatively unprovocative, and we also talk about how this issue has been censored from public discussion. Finally, Javed reveals his inspiration for the continued effort, and how he thinks the campaign will evolve as it gains more attention.
Please enjoy, and if you appreciate what you hear please consider sharing with others.
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