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Refugees' Human Rights

Millions of people around the world have no choice but to flee their homeland to escape persecution and conflict. Refugees seek asylum in other countries so they can rebuild their lives, but they are often unable to obtain proper passports and visas.

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Asylum seekers from the Oceanic Viking arrive on Christmas Island. © Jessica Baird

Turning asylum seekers away is no solution

The policy of sending asylum seekers who arrive by boat in Australia to another country is wrong on a number of levels.

A Sri Lankan girl seeking asylum in Australia, on board the customs ship Oceanic Viking, October 2009. © AFP Photo/Roslan Rahman

Life on the ground

In April the Australian Government stopped processing the asylum claims of people from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Here our experts give an update on the volatile situation that exists in both these countries.

Razorwire fence surrounding Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre

Sent home to torture

Three men whose claims for asylum were rejected by the Australian Government have been tortured in prison upon their forcible return to Sri Lanka.


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Najeeba with her brother Mahdi and sisters Nooria and Raihana © Hamish Gregory

Desperate people fleeing persecution should not be offloaded to some of the world's poorest countries. Sign our petition telling the next Prime Minister to give asylum seekers a fair go.

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Around the world, millions of refugees seek sanctuary from violence and persecution. By giving now you will be protecting the rights of people like these two boys, watching food distribution at Gaga Refugee Camp in eastern Chad.

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