Books on Refugee Issues
From Nothing to Zero: Letters from Refugees in Australia's Detention Centres (Lonely Planet Journeys)
These letters give a human face and voice to one of the most controversial issues affecting the world. All profits will be donated to asylum seeker organisations.
(2003) Dark Victory. Lonely Planet Publications (ISBN:1740596684)
Another Country : writers in detention
The rebirth of an already exquisite book. ...giving voices to people not usually heard ... books like Another Country provide an alternative view; that asylum seekers are people rather than numbers, that Australia provides punishment rather than refuge, and that children detained suffer enormously (Sydney Morning Herald).
Ed: Scott, R., Keneally,T. (2005) Another Country Sydney PEN and Halstead Press (ISBN: 1 920831 28 2)
Following Them Home : the fate of the returned asylum seekers
Beyond detention centres and Australian shores, Following Them Home explores the lands that asylum seekers flee and in many cases, to which they are returned. Here, at last are the untold stories of Australia's returned asylum seekers. Following Them Home is a complex and in-depth exploration of asylum seekers, their supporters and detractors.
Corlett, D. (2005) Following Them Home. Black Inc books (ISBN: 097 507 6965)
Tales from a Suitcase : the Afghan Experience
Since the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979, millions of Afghan people have died and millions have fled. The Afghan people did not come to Australia simply looking for a 'better life'. They would stay in Afghanistan if they could. Many still remember an Afghanistan of beautiful buildings, universities and prosperity. The tales in this book come out of the rubble that is now Afghanistan. They are all stories of survival.
Davies,W., Dal Bosco, A. (2002) Tales from a Suitcase: The Afghan Experience (ISBN 0734404484)
Asylum: Voices Behind the Razor Wire
In coming to Australia none of them knew that their painful journey wasn't at an end, but could continue indefinitely at the discretion of the Australian government. These first-hand accounts describe the harrowing events that led them to flee their countries and their experience of the Australian detention system and the impact it has had on their physical and emotional well-being. Asylum also deals with Australia's perception of asylum seekers, how the media perceives them, why the issue has polarised a nation.
Tyler, H. (2003) Asylum Lothian Books (ISBN 0734405367)
Borderline: Australia’s Response to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the Wake of the Tampa
Borderline immediately received widespread acclaim for its authority, its humanity, its passion and its fundamental honesty. The second edition includes much new testimony from professionals who have worked inside Australia’s immigration detention system and who now feel compelled to speak out about their experiences.
Mares, P. (2nd ed 2002) Borderline UNSW PRESS, October (ISBN 0868407895)
Future Seekers - Refugees and the law in Australia
Australia has a long and remarkable history of resettling refugees as part of its planned immigration program. But these newcomers are different. They come uninvited. They come in boats and by plane. They disturb and anger many people who resent illegal violations of Australia's borders. This book has been written to help Australians understand a phenomenon that is relatively new to Australia - non-citizens who enter the country unlawfully and demand protection as refugees.
Crock,M., Saul,B. (2002 about to be reprinted) Future Seekers The Federation Press (ISBN 1862874034)
Human Cargo: A Journey Among Refugees
Human Cargo is a balanced enquiry into the problems and aspirations of refugees, the conditions in which they are obliged to live, and the social and political difficulties of accommodating them. Caroline Moorehead tells the stories of some of the world's refugees - and lets them speak for themselves.
Moorehead, C. (2005) Human Cargo. Chatto & Windus (ISBN 0701175958)
Dark Victory: Analysis of the role "Tampa", the "Pacific Solution" and "Children Overboard" had in the re-election of the government. Marr, D., Wilkinson, M. (2003). Dark Victory. Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin. (ISBN 1865089397)
Desert Sorrow : Asylum seekers at Woomera
Tom Mann did two stints at Australia's Woomera Detention Centre as an Education Officer. This unassuming yet potent book is a must read, an eye witness testament to a phase in Australia’s history that has been deliberately hidden and is still destroying the lives of men, women and children.’ The great achievement of this book is that the people are real, not figments of media construction, and we get to care about them, and worry for them.
Mann, T. (2003) Desert Sorrow Wakefield Press (ISBN: 1862546231)
Lives in Limbo: Voices of Refugees Under Temporary Protection
In this book, 35 refugees, all temporary protection visa (TPV) holders and mostly from Iraq and Afghanistan, talk directly about their quest for asylum in Australia. They provide poignant details of persecution in their home country, their journey to Australia, prolonged periods of mandatory detention, and life under Australia's controversial temporary protection regime. Leach, M., Mansouri, F. (2004) Lives in Limbo UNSW PRESS (ISBN 086840599X) |
