We welcome the Australian Government's recent decision to grant permanent protection visas to 28 Afghan and Iranian asylum seekers.

The 10 children and 18 adults arrived in Australian waters last year in three separate boats that were picked up by Australian naval authorities between 29 September and 24 November. Before being granted visas last Friday, all 28 were detained on Christmas Island.

These 28 asylum seekers are the first to be granted refugee status after being processed on Christmas Island since the ALP government’s new migration policies came into effect. Amnesty supports all the steps that the government has taken to make Australia’s refugee system more humane.

However, the existence of Christmas Island as an offshore processing centre remains an unacceptable and unnecessary part of Australia’s immigration system. It is still unclear why a system that is already operating in Australia needs to be replicated on Christmas Island.

The sterile and prison-like facilities on Christmas Island are completely inappropriate for housing asylum seekers. Amnesty International believes that the intimidating high-security environment of the Christmas Island detention centre puts the many refugee applicants who have fled violence, torture and severe persecution at a high risk of further trauma.

Amnesty International believes that it is completely unnecessary to subject asylum seekers to these oppressive conditions. The range of alternatives on the mainland provide a much more appropriate environment to accommodate refugee applicants (particularly for children) as well as allowing access to a wider range of social services such as counselling and legal advice.

Housing all asylum seekers on mainland Australia would also ensure individuals are not treated differently based solely on their mode of arrival. Under the 1951 Refugee Convention (which Australia has signed) each individual seeking Australia’s protection should be entitled to the same rights regardless of whether they arrive by plane or are picked up at sea.

Amnesty International remains concerned about the 134 asylum seekers who are still detained on Christmas Island. Closing down the centre on Christmas Island and moving detainees to mainland facilities would indicate that the government is committed to its stated policy of treating all asylum seekers humanely and with dignity.