The Cerebral Mum

On October 19, 2001, the overcrowded Indonesian fishing boat which came to be known as SIEV X (Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel, name unknown) capsized and sank off the coast of Java in a zone patrolled daily by Australia’s spy planes. An estimated 353 people died that day, asylum seekers from Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Algeria. 65 men. 146 women. 142 children and infants. One of those infants was only 20 days old. One had only just been born; the umbilical cord was still attached.

Only 45 people were rescued.

Wherever you look you see the dead children like birds floating on the water, those who survived 22 hours in the water saw the dead bodies of women and children with cuts from nails on the boat and with scars from where the fish were biting at them in the water and saw blood. _{Ahmed Hussein}

Today, a temporary memorial was erected in Weston Park, Canberra, a white pole for each life lost. Less than half bear the names of the people they represent: The Australian Federal Police will not release the list.

The poles will remain for only 6 weeks. Those behind the project, including child psychologist and author, Steve Biddulph, are still working towards permission for a permanent memorial.

It is a sensitive issue politically, and I have my opinions but I will not air them now.

I write this post in memoriam. I write it for asylum seekers everywhere. I write it for those displaced by war and tyranny and prejudice and poverty, for those who wish their children to see a better future. I hope in that future people in need will find a better welcome on our shores.

_{For more information:
SIEV X National Memorial Project
SIEVX.com}