Christians United for Afghanistan

From Rev Dr John Squires
Presbytery Minister - Congregation Futures

Two months ago, the Canberra Region Presbytery joined many others from churches across Australia to advocate for the people of Afghanistan under “Christians United for Afghanistan”. The President of the Church also signed on behalf of the Assembly.

There are now over 14,000 individuals and 250 Churches which have signed the call. There have been meetings with 8 Coalition Members of Parliament, encouraging them to press for a better Australian response to the many people from Afghanistan who are in peril in their home country, and who are seeking refugee status.

90 leaders attended a briefing on mobilising their churches and there has been

significant media coverage in the Murdoch press, ABC & SBS—you can read news items at https://www.unitedforafghanistan.com/news/.

Church leaders stood with community leaders from Afghanistan in handing over close to 200,000 #ActionforAfghanistan petition signatures to Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke. This petition action was initiated by the Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network, with which “Christians United for Afghanistan” has been working in close partnership.

Letter have been sent to five leaders, calling on them to support the additional intake of 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan: Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Defence, Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

With a Senate Inquiry currently taking place into Australia's engagement with Afghanistan, we know the next few days and weeks continue to be critical to influence the key decision makers that Australia needs to act. You can add your voice to this message to our national leadership; go to https://www.unitedforafghanistan.com/#sign