Sri Lankan refugees at the Christmas Island detention centre,
March 2007. © Robyn Stevenson
Asylum seekers need equal treatment
Amnesty International is deeply concerned with the Australian government’s policy of taking people intercepted at sea to Christmas Island.
The announcement that 14 people intercepted by the Royal Australia Navy on 29 September are being taken to Christmas Island highlights the disparity between people processed on the mainland and those taken to offshore detention centres.
"Having recently visited the island and inspected the detention facilities there, we do not believe it is appropriate to keep asylum seekers in such a remote location," said Dr Graham Thom, our refugee spokesperson.
The detrimental impact of detaining individuals in isolated centres has been well documented and Amnesty International remains concerned for the physical and mental health of any asylum seeker taken to Christmas Island.
If this group are determined to be asylum seekers, it is unclear how they will be processed, as the details of the government’s recently announced independent review body (for those processed offshore) are yet to be made public.
"Australia already has a fully functioning system to deal with people seeking asylum," said Dr Thom. "It is completely inappropriate to treat this group differently from other asylum seekers and it is certainly not in keeping with our international obligations to protect people who are fleeing persecution."
"The Minister recently announced a more humane approach to those seeking asylum, and this should apply to all individuals equally. Individuals should not be punished simply based on their mode of arrival."
"A small boat with 14 people on board is not a border security issue, it is a humanitarian issue and should be treated as such," said Dr Thom.
Comments
Anna Bray | Posted on 3 October 2008, 02:49PM | Report comment
If anyone saw Q&A;on ABCTV last night, you would’ve heard this very issue being discussed after a question was posed by a former detainee, Mohsen Soltani. David Mann, the writer, was strong on the distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants and stood up to Peter Costello’s intransigent dogma forcefully. It was good to get this subject aired on national tv and commendable of Mohsen ( who has suffered years of psychological fallout from the Howard govt’s policies) to put himself forward on behalf of all those who were affected.
Ron Woods | Posted on 2 October 2008, 11:59AM | Report comment
I strongly believe that anyone detained on Christmas Island should be transferred to the mainland as soon as possible. At least one positive coming out of the recent changes to detention is use of the term “asylum seekers” instead of “illegal immigrants” - asylum seekers and other refugees are NOT illegal.
bonnie carter | Posted on 2 October 2008, 09:31AM | Report comment
the new federal labour government should hang its head in shame. their treatment of these refugees smacks of mr howard and his cronies. when will australia have a government that has its roots firmly planted in the humanitarian side of the fence? these people need hope and positive action not separation and denial.
joyce Evans | Posted on 1 October 2008, 11:55PM | Report comment
I agree with your stand on Asylum seekers I would like to add one often ignored fact . I object to the cost of off shore detention to me as a taxpayer, It would be cheaper to put these 14 people up at the Hilton Hotel - I object to paying a fortune to torture refugees.
Marija Kovac | Posted on 1 October 2008, 03:02PM | Report comment
These people come travel such long distances in horrible conditions and are obviously desperate for a new and better life. Isn’t it only decent of us Australians to initially welcome them with proper facilities and care while they be processed as quickly as possible so they can start new lives in this wonderful country of ours?