Australia must act immediately to protect illegally detained citizens
Senator Fatima Payman
GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT URGENTLY
Independent Senator Fatima Payman has called on the Albanese Government to act urgently and decisively to secure the safety and release of Australian citizens detained by Israeli forces after participating in the Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission to Gaza.
The group including Surya McEwen, Abubakir Rafiq, Hamish Paterson, Juliet Lamont, Bianca Webb-Pullman, and Dan Coward was illegally abducted in international waters while attempting to deliver aid to civilians trapped under Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza. A blockade that the international community widely recognises as unlawful.
This week, Israel confirmed it had deported 137 detained activists to Turkey, after the Turkish Government intervened directly and publicly to demand their release. The deported activists included citizens from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
“If Turkish officials were able to bring home 137 activists from the flotilla, then there is absolutely no excuse for the Australian Government’s inaction,” Senator Payman said.
“I called DFAT myself seeking urgent updates and was met with an automated voice message. Meanwhile, families of detained Australians are left in anguish, relying on second-hand reports and online speculation. That is unacceptable.”
Senator Payman said she has spoken to relatives and supporters of the detained Australians and reviewed correspondence from consular officials that includes credible allegations of violence and mistreatment by Israeli authorities.
“These are Australian citizens. The consistent reports of physical abuse, denial of legal representation, and inhumane conditions demand an immediate, visible response, not quiet diplomacy and recorded messages.”
“We’ve heard from Ben Gvir directly that he will treat all the detainees as terrorists. Enough said for the Albanese government to take immediate action now. Are they waiting for our citizens to be seriously injured - or worse - before our government shows the urgency and courage this moment demands?”
While DFAT says it is providing consular assistance, Senator Payman said the government’s response has been alarmingly slow and detached.
“Our government must match the urgency shown by other nations. Every day of silence risks further harm to our citizens and signals that Australians can be mistreated abroad without consequence.”
Senator Payman has called on the Albanese Government to:
1. Demand immediate and continuous consular access to each detained Australian, including private meetings and welfare checks.
2. Press for an independent investigation into allegations of mistreatment and guarantee full medical assessments.
3. Secure legal representation for detainees and prioritise their safe repatriation to Australia.
4. Work with international partners and neutral observers to uphold detainees’ rights and ensure humane treatment in line with international law.
“Australians who take part in humanitarian missions must be protected, not abandoned,” Senator Payman said.
“If other governments can bring their people home, so can ours. The question is whether the Albanese Government has the courage to act or will it wait until tragedy strikes to start caring?”
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