This week the Italian government has sent for approval to the Senate amendments to laws regarding immigration that are discriminatory, racist and downright abusive of Human Rights. Under the guise of ‘national security’, the Italian government has launched a public rhetoric of intolerance and xenophobia against refugees, asylum seekers and ‘unauthorised’ entrants.

The main points of these amendments are a clear attack at human decency, morality and justice. Below is a brief summary:

* Unauthorised entry into the country becomes a crime punishable by a fine between 5-10,000 Euros. Also liable for prosecution are individuals who do not report any ‘clandestine’ activities, thus introducing a mandatory reporting system for ‘unauthorised’ entrants.
* Entrants without permit can be detained for up to 180 days before being deported.
* Citizen associations or vigilantes can be formed to report activities and maintain security

In the twelve months since I left the Thai-Burma border, much has changed in my life. Optimistically, if not naively, I was also hoping to see some changes here too, on this stretch of land dotted with refugee camps filled to the brim with people escaping the oppressive regime and conditions of Burma.

This letter, however, is not about what I have been experiencing here in general, but my friendship with Hugh (not his real name). A man that in many ways epitomises the daily reality of the Burmese people. Hugh is a 39 years old Karen, who was a fighter with the Karen army and injured in the field. He was brought to the relative safety of Thailand, where he recovered, but relinquished the arm struggle, opting for activism through a grassroot organisation based in Thailand.

Seven months to the day when a tragic boating accident took six young lives, including that of our much loved friend Savanna, her smiling face graces the pages of the daily papers again.

As expected, the legal processes have been set in motion and the courts will have to do what courts do. The adversarial style of our legal system will pitch human against human and lawyer against lawyer. Meanwhile, the media will chronicle it all in the many different styles, from sensational to dry court reporting and often de-humanising.

In all this, all of whom have been dealing with the sense of loss, sadness, media frenzy and all that this tragedy brought, may experience the re-opening of some deep wounds. It may be normal to experience resentment, anger, guilt, blame and even hatred. But let us not wallow in these longer than necessary.

Territory-style acoustic jam sessions at the Darwin North RSL on the 1st Wednesday of the month - from 7pm til 10pm

The LAST Darwin Session for 2008 is on Wednesday December 3

Singers, songwriters & musicians of all ages and all levels are welcome to come along and share their songs, music, and stories the Territory way in a friendly and supportive "camp fire" environment. It's like campfire music ... without the fire!!!

You will find the Darwin North RSL on Batten Road Karama (off Amy Johnson Avenue)

These jam sessions are designed to create a supportive space where singers & musicians can get together and relax ... play their music, experiment with new material, and share their knowledge and skills among friends!

For more information contact Kevin on 0411 135 4188, or
email: macca@blarneybulletin.com

Don't miss Rosa's Journey premiering on SBS TV at 8:30pm on Wednesday 26 November 2008 - the journey of independent East Timor through the eyes of a remarkable and resilient woman.

Following the acclaimed documentary East Timor - Birth of a Nation, Rosa's Journey picks up the story of young East Timorese widow Rosa Martins and her family seven years after independence. Unlike the celebratory climate of 2000, life in East Timor is violent and democracy fragile, as one of the world's youngest nations faces an uncertain future.

The years following nationhood have been hard for Rosa and her country. Freedom has not translated into calm and prosperity. Every aspect of Rosa's life is informed by East Timor's continuing struggle for stability and unity. The documentary starts in 2006 when violence breaks out in East Timor. Rosa and thousands of others are forced to flee to refugee camps. Australian and other international troops are sent to restore peace.

November Films. SBS Television, Wednesday 19 November, 8:30 pm

website http://www.novemberfilms.com.au/films/a-well-founded-fear

At the beginning of A Well Founded Fear we hear Mr Howard declaring after Tampa, 'We decide who will come to Australia and under what circumstances they will come'. His declaration is received with applause from his Liberal Party audience.

Mohammed Hussain, an Afghan asylum seeker rejected by Australia under the Howard government was tortured and beheaded by kidnappers in a province south of Kabul. This poem was inspired by his fate.

How was your morning coffee Johnnny
when you saw the morning rag.
A man who cried for help
closed his eyes and now is dead.

From a place you can’t pronounce,
at the bottom of a well.
His life was hard enough,
but you made it into a hell.

In a mountain and no one else,
the Poet dreamt of greener fields,
but your heart turned to stone
a pen stroke and his fate was sealed.

How was your morning coffee Johnny
when you read it in the news
that a man who fled from terror
lost his life at your refuse.

The locality of Malak and its surrounds have often witnessed the manifestation of anti-social behaviour. The degree of this behaviour is a point of interesting discussion which lies somewhere between evidence and perception. For the local community members who have experienced first hand the consequences of anti-social behaviour by having their property damaged, violated and defaced, there is no doubt about the seriousness of the problem. For some others, what they hear in the community or read in the press is enough to instill a sense of fear that it is a question of 'when' they will be targeted by this behaviour and not 'if' they ever will.

Dili, is a mere 90 minutes flying time from Darwin. And although it hasn’t become a major holiday destination yet, it has the potential do so, despite the travel warnings by Australian authorities not to travel unless necessary as a result of the volatility of the situation there.

The brevity of this visit would not allow for an informed assessment of the situation, but hanging around Dili posed no threat, even with the visible reminders of a troubled recent past. On the contrary, the hospitality and friendliness of the Timorese people was overwhelmingly nourishing.

Touted as the “poorest” nation in the world, Timor is relatively expensive when compared with other popular South East Asian destinations. This is mainly due to the sizeable contingent of foreign officials, military personnel and NGO’s based in Dili and elsewhere, assisting with the development of the “newest nation” of the 21st century.