“The Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW declares solidarity with the Afghan people in their hour of most need,” said ECC NSW Chair Peter Doukas OAM. “We watch with horror the violence inflicted by the Taliban and the devastating impact this bears for the people of Afghanistan and Afghanis across Australia distressed and deeply affected by a fast-devolving crisis.”
“We call on the Australian government to fast-track all humanitarian aid to those who are suffering in Afghanistan, as well as extend support services as required to members of Afghan communities in Australia in these most extreme circumstances” said Doukas.
“We urge the Federal Government to grant Afghanis on temporary visas or under Australian jurisdiction, in light of their increasingly vulnerable situation and severe state of affairs, permanent visa status – it is a basic, immediate and meaningful humanitarian contribution Australia can and should make.”
The ECC NSW, the peak body representing culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW, believes non-repatriation of Afghanis is the correct decision and that we should reconsider the current scope of our humanitarian intake for the purpose of accepting persons fleeing Afghanistan.
“The ECC NSW offers its support to the Australian Government to ensure it responds to this emerging humanitarian catastrophe,” concluded Doukas.