14 July 2004
REFUGEES - AN ISSUE THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY
In recent weeks there has been a steady retreat by the Australian Government from its hardline stance on refugees and asylum seekers with the quiet release of more and more people from detention centres into the community and now with the promise of permanent residency to an estimated nine thousand people currently on Temporary Protection Visas.
Whilst refusing to admit that it may have got it wrong the government at least appears to be bowing to the overwhelming criticism from professional and church groups, organizations concerned with human rights and the persistent campaigning of concerned citizens such as the readers of this bulletin.
Perhaps we are witnessing the beginning of the end of a particularly shameful episode in Australian history. If so, it is a welcome development and a victory for all those who have worked to correct an enormous injustice. Nevertheless if we are to avoid travelling the same path at some time in the future it is worth recalling some important facts.
The total number of children who arrived in Australia by boat or plane without a visa between July 1999 and June 2003 was 2184. According to the HREOC inquiry, children who were in detention in 2003 spent an average time of one year, eight months and 11 days behind bars. The longest any one child had been held was five years. Most alarmingly, 98 per cent of Iraqi children, 95 per cent of Iranian children and 74 per cent of Afghan children were eventually found to be genuine refugees.
It is difficult to escape the cynical suspicion that the government’s policy reversal is more related to the forthcoming election than any genuine change of heart. Whatever the case there is still a need to push for a change of policy in the treatment of any future asylum seekers.
"The Better Way" is an alternative to the current failed system of 'one size fits all' maximum-security mandatory detention. It shows asylum seekers can be housed in different types of accommodation according to their needs. It was developed by experienced and respected community organisations and welfare agencies from the Justice for Asylum Seekers network. Recognised by HREOC, The Better Way is an effective, more humane way of caring for the special needs of asylum seekers. It has also been demonstrated to be cheaper than the current system. More information can be found at the The Better Way website.
Whilst the campaign to secure the release of all those remaining in detention is continuing, the long battle of many refugee families to find a safe haven may nearly be over. How well many of those will recover from the "inhumane and degrading treatment" they have received in Australia remains to be seen and likewise the long-term damage inflicted on Australian society is difficult to assess.
What is sure is that the effects of this sorry, inhumane episode of political opportunism are likely to haunt this nation for years to come.
Whilst refusing to admit that it may have got it wrong the government at least appears to be bowing to the overwhelming criticism from professional and church groups, organizations concerned with human rights and the persistent campaigning of concerned citizens such as the readers of this bulletin.
Perhaps we are witnessing the beginning of the end of a particularly shameful episode in Australian history. If so, it is a welcome development and a victory for all those who have worked to correct an enormous injustice. Nevertheless if we are to avoid travelling the same path at some time in the future it is worth recalling some important facts.
The total number of children who arrived in Australia by boat or plane without a visa between July 1999 and June 2003 was 2184. According to the HREOC inquiry, children who were in detention in 2003 spent an average time of one year, eight months and 11 days behind bars. The longest any one child had been held was five years. Most alarmingly, 98 per cent of Iraqi children, 95 per cent of Iranian children and 74 per cent of Afghan children were eventually found to be genuine refugees.
It is difficult to escape the cynical suspicion that the government’s policy reversal is more related to the forthcoming election than any genuine change of heart. Whatever the case there is still a need to push for a change of policy in the treatment of any future asylum seekers.
"The Better Way" is an alternative to the current failed system of 'one size fits all' maximum-security mandatory detention. It shows asylum seekers can be housed in different types of accommodation according to their needs. It was developed by experienced and respected community organisations and welfare agencies from the Justice for Asylum Seekers network. Recognised by HREOC, The Better Way is an effective, more humane way of caring for the special needs of asylum seekers. It has also been demonstrated to be cheaper than the current system. More information can be found at the The Better Way website.
Whilst the campaign to secure the release of all those remaining in detention is continuing, the long battle of many refugee families to find a safe haven may nearly be over. How well many of those will recover from the "inhumane and degrading treatment" they have received in Australia remains to be seen and likewise the long-term damage inflicted on Australian society is difficult to assess.
What is sure is that the effects of this sorry, inhumane episode of political opportunism are likely to haunt this nation for years to come.
Comments:
Post a Comment
