Urgent Update - Flotillas Of Hope

Our present position (0700 AEST, 0800 ship's time) is 01 32S 166 54E (62 nm south of Nauru!). One Off is about 0.5 nm ahead of us.

We've just heard that there is a lot of activity happening on the harbour at Nauru and that APS or Australian Police Service has been station in readiness for the arrival of the Flotillas of Hope. This information asylum seekers held on Nauru and the Nauruans themselves have told us. Also this morning an email arrived from Helen Bogdan

The Flotillas of Hope goes to Nauru as a peaceful gesture with gifts of toys and teddy bears and a knee jerk reaction by the Australian police would be just overkill under the circumstances.

Flotillas of Hope sail to Nauru to deliver a message of Hope to those who are suffering in Australian's dehumanising punitive immigration detention centres.

Helen Bogdan is the hired spokes person for Nauru.

Below is a break up of the people in detention on Nauru.

260 people

74 children

180 Afghanis

54 Iraqis

At this stage Helen Bogdan still has not contacted us to confirm that visas will be issued, the crew face 12 months imprisonment and the loss of their vessels if visas are not issued and Australian or Nauruan police arrest our crew.

Satellite Phone Contact:

0011 881621427360 (Eureka) Steve, Ruth, Lance and Joty

0011 881621427374 (One Off) Keith, Nerida and Elliot

From a message sent to us from an asylum seeker on Nauru

Dear madam and sir,

Hello, how are you? I have heard you and your groups are in the way to come to Nauru hell and soon you will be arriving here.

That might be a problem for you all as we heard that justice minister of Nauru said anyone who enter illegally would be prison and should have to pay $300.

I am not sure if you are able to be coming here to see our plight from nearby, you would be warm welcomed to come here.

Yours truly,

************ {name on file)

Quote:

Congratulations to Flotillas of Hope which represents so many thousands of Australians who are distressed that asylum seekers continue to be imprisoned on Nauru in breach of all reasonable standards of compassion and decency.

You have shown by your very intrepid and creative actions that caring people will always find ways to show their support for people who are oppressed by government. I do hope that you efforts will be recognised by early release of those who remain detained on this remote island.

Prof Margaret Reynolds, Head of the United Nation Association Australia

www.flotilla2004.com

Map and current position: http://www.hopecaravan.com/flotillas/index.htm

Official refusal to land by Helen Bogdan, she claims the crew did not apply for visa before setting sail, this is untrue and the crew were refused.

Dear Ms Smith,

Thankyou for your email this evening.

The present position is that the Nauru Government has not granted visas for the visit of the Flotilla of Hope.

According to the Minister for Justice, visas were not requested officially prior to the departure from Australia. Therefore no visas have been granted.

The names of the crew members have been provided to President Harris for his consideration.

At this point it would seem that the President has not given his permission for visas to be granted .

I believe that the boats will be met at sea and that a peaceful exchange will take place allowing the members of the two boats of the Flotilla to offer their greetings, and hand over the gifts for the children in the camps, to Nauruan officials and possibly to representatives of the asylum seekers from the camps It is unlikely that they will be permited to go ashore in Nauru..

It has been stated in the notice given by the Secretary of Justice, which was posted on your website prior to the departure of the two yachts, that action will be taken if the law is broken. I would suggest that the crews observe this so that they can maintain what has been intended as a peaceful and safe demonstration.

I am sure that the asylum seekers on Nauru are aware of the gesture of goodwill that the Flotilla of Hope people are bringing on this long voyage.

May I offer my best wishes for their safe return to Australia.

Sincerely,

Helen Bogdan

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