Refugee advocates are rallying across Australia to demand an end to the nation's "harsh" hotel and off-shore detention policies.
"Walk for Justice and a Fair Go for Refugees" events have been scheduled in capital cities and regional centres on Sunday afternoon.
The Palm Sunday rallies taking place in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Hobart, Albany and Darwin have been backed by over 200 refugee, religious, political and human rights groups.
Event organisers say more than 100 Medevac refugees remain indefinitely detained in city hotels in Australia, while about 250 are also being held off-shore in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
Many of those who have been released are living in "abject poverty" on bridging visas, with no ability to access welfare payments if unable to find work.
"Thousands of recognised refugees are refused permanent visas and live in the constant uncertainty that their temporary visas may not be renewed," organisers said.
"These harsh policies towards people fleeing persecution and looking for safety must stop - this is why people are rallying for Justice and A Fair Go for Refugees."
The movement is calling for the release of and permanent visas for all refugees, fair and timely assessment of refugee status claims and "safety net" income for those waiting for their claims to be reviewed.
Refugee advocates are rallying across Australia to demand an end to the nation's "harsh" hotel and off-shore detention policies. Source: SBS News
In Melbourne, protesters have gathered at the State Library Victoria to hear speeches from freed Medevac refugee Mostafa Azimbitar and civil liberties lawyer Julian Burnside among others.
Mr Azimbitar, a Kurdish-Iranian refugee, was one of about 60 refugees transferred to Australia under medevac laws who was suddenly released from the makeshift Melbourne detention centre in January on a bridging visa.
Attendees then plan to walk to the Park Hotel in Carlton where Don Khan, one of seven refugees still detained there, will address the crowd via video call.
Meanwhile, former Canberra Times Editor Jack Waterford and Anglican Reverend Roberta Hamilton will urge federal MPs in the nation's capital to "consign these horrendous policies to the dustbin of history".
