Quaker statement on asylum seeker harassment
27 August 2025
One year on from the riots in the summer of 2024, we are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge in our nation facing the threat of further violence and intimidation.
As our book of teachings reminds us, in every homeless child, every refugee, every outcast, every worker or preacher, those in authority and those without it, there is a child of God, one who is precious and loved.
Targeting people who have fled war and persecution does nothing to solve the problems in our asylum system. Meanwhile, violence inflicted on women and girls in our society is being hijacked by an anti-migrant agenda that fuels division and harms survivors.
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace. We are dismayed by the failure of public figures, who are responsible for setting the tone of the debate, to speak about asylum with humanity and compassion.
We call on all political leaders and those responsible for shaping the flow of news and comment to rise to the moment with truth telling and integrity. There is a moral imperative to elevate humanity over perceived short term political gain, social media shares and website clicks.