The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) called on Australians not to tolerate anti-Asian language or behaviour in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The call comes after Asian-Australians have reported a spike in racism and Sinophobia directed towards them that has made them feel unsafe.
FECCA Chairperson Mary Patetsos said the coronavirus must not be allowed to be used as an excuse for racist behaviour.
“We have heard reports from Asian Australians that there has been an increase in racism and anti-Asian language and behaviour in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak,” she told Neos Kosmos.
Following the latest coronavirus outbreaks, FECCA last week started keeping a record of reports made by Asian Australian community networks who complained of feeling unsafe and uncomfortable as a result of behaviour directed towards them on account of the latest developments.
Reports included those of a young person who had an experience on a bus where no one wanted to sit next to them or near them, and another Asian Australian who attended a GP clinic for a matter not related to flu-like symptoms and was humiliated when the waiting room was cleared of people.
“This type of language and behaviour makes people feel unsafe and as a society we cannot allow it to become normalised by sitting back and letting people who hold racist views use the conoravirus as an excuse to vilify members of the community,” Ms Patetsos said.
FECCA, the peak, national body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, is also monitoring hundreds of reports on most social media platforms of Asian Australians who have been subjected to racist behaviour. The aim of the group is to promote multiculturalism, fairness and responsiveness to the constituency in the delivery and design of government policies and programs.
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While the exact origin of coronavirus remains unknown, it is believed to have emerged in December 2019 from illegally-traded wildlife at an animal market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
The official death toll has now reached nearly 500 in China as of Wednesday, with more than 20,700 confirmed cases worldwide, 14 of which are in Australia as of 6 February, 2020.
“It’s important that our leaders and indeed all Australians call out racism, whenever and wherever they see it, and it is also as important that they follow the medical advice in relation to coronavirus containment measures avoiding any comments or actions that may be inflammatory or prejudicial to Chinese Australians,” Ms Patetsos said.
Last weekend the Australian government introduced a travel ban for anyone who has been to mainland China within the preceding 14 days.
Registered Migration Agent Con Paxinos told Neos Kosmos that any sort of racism anytime and particularly at this crucial time is only adding to any potential damage to Australia’s reputation through poor behaviour and unwarranted attacks.
“Following on from the bushfires, coronavirus has come at the worst time for Australia’s international student and tourism industries, both of which Chinese students and visitors contribute billions of dollars each year and support thousands of Australian jobs.
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“Thousands of new and returning students are unable to come back to Australia to take up their studies here.
“Whilst we can understand that people are feeling anxious and worried about the outbreak, attacking someone’s race or ethnicity is not productive or helpful in any way and goes against Australia’s multicultural foundations,” he added.
There is no doubt that fears or the coronavirus outbreak are harrowing and valid, and it is every government’s duty to implement public health measures to keep their communities safe, but as the Australian government and the world navigates this crisis, the message at this time should not be that Chinese people are unwanted.
It should be a message of support, kindness and compassion for one another, keeping in mind that while we have little control over how people get sick, we can choose how we treat those who are already suffering.