Australian Government must accept responsibility for Sri Lankan asylum seekers

Last week 85 male asylum seekers, mostly from Sri Lanka, were intercepted by the Australian Navy while travelling in a boat from Indonesia to Australia.

The men are currently being detained on Christmas Island and reports indicate that the Australian Government is attempting to return the asylum seekers to their homes without first assessing whether the men need protection.

Some good news

Nauru: On 31 January the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) overturned its adverse security finding against refugee Mahommed Faisal. After five years on Nauru and approximately six months in psychiatric care Mr Faisal has now been granted a Permanent Protection Visa to remain in Australia.

Syria: Last month we told you about a father and son in Syria who had been taken into custody without charge and were in danger of facing ill treatment and torture. Both men have now been released without charge. Thank you for taking action - it really does make a difference!

Thailand: On 14 February Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, announced that Australia would be accepting 200 Lao Hmong refugees who are currently located on the Thailand and Laos border.

In previous months Amnesty International supporters have taken action to assist groups of Lao Hmong refugees who are in serious danger.

Three other countries will also resettle some Lao Hmong refugees, but unfortunately thousands more will remain behind in the border camp with no real prospect of safety.

Reinvigorated 'Pacific Solution' leaves asylum seekers to languish

In August 2006 eight Burmese asylum seekers were located on Ashmore Reef and detained on Nauru. This month the Australian Government has 'offered' to return them to Malaysia - where they were living prior to fleeing to Australia.

Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention and offers no protection. Seven of the eight asylum seekers have refused the offer and the eighth man is considering a return to Malaysia as he fears for the welfare of his two children.

The men's applications for asylum have not even been processed to date and the Australian Government has now announced that even if the men were determined to be refugees they would be denied entry to Australia.

These statements demonstrate the scant regard the Australian Government has for the Refugee Convention or other international human rights obligations.

Outraged? Please take action: As a concerned citizen please write to your local newspaper or call your favourite talk-back radio station. Let people know what is happening and demand a refugee and asylum seeker policy which respects human rights.