Letter Writing
Over the years, writing letters to people in detention has been an integral part of assisting asylum seekers held in remote locations where the likelihood of receiving visitors is minimal. Because of Christmas Island’s extreme isolation, letter writing is even more crucial to help to bridge the gap between Australians and asylums seekers.
Although most of the asylum seekers involved in the letter writing project are based on Christmas Island, in light of recent departmental decisions to move detainees to the mainland, ASCI's the letter writing project has extended to mainland detention centres.
We have also extended the letter writing project to women asylum seekers on Christmas Island. These women have arrived with either their children, husbands or bravely, on their own. Women and children are being locked up behind fences at construction camp.
At the moment, the women involved are Kurdish, Sri Lankan and Afghan. There are also two Vietnamese women who have been in detention for over 6 months who cannot speak English and would really appreciate someone who can write in Vietnamese.
When sending your pen pal letters to Christmas Island, please send them directly to the Immigration Detention Centre Address (IDC) and not to the ASCI mailing address. Remember to include name and ID number as follows:
Asylum Seeker Name (ID Number)
C/ - Christmas Island IDC
PO Box 639
Christmas Island WA 6798
If you would like to write to someone in detention or have any questions about the project please email Lisa Hartley at letters@asylumseekerschristmasisland.com