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Is Australia Dumping Refugees in Indonesia?
A growing population of refugees is stuck in exiled limbo in Indonesia, a nation that some accuse the Australian government of paying off to keep would-be asylum-seekers at bay. The defeat of the Tamil Tigers by the Sri Lankan military in May has created a surplus of refugees flooding Australia’s shores. In the past year, more than 1,700 people have arrived in Australia via boat, compared to 161 last year, and the past month has shown a drastic spike in asylum-seekers. The refugees have been making their way to Australia via Indonesia, where it has become procedure for Australian officials to intercept them. The opposition party in Australia blames the rise in refugees on new relaxed policies and an alleged agreement referred to as the "Indonesian Solution," in which Australia paid $45 million for Indonesia to hold asylum-seekers en route to Australia. The only problem is, the asylum-seekers don't want to stay in Indonesia and have protested with hunger strikes and suicide threats. Neither country wants to take responsibility for the refugees.
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Every country has a right to control its own borders, and to apprehend, prosecute and expel illegal immigrants. Australia is not "dumping" illegal immigrants in Indonesia, because illegal migrants have absolutely no right to be in Australia.
They are not illegal immigrants, they are asylum seekers. This issue all stems from political games of the federal opposition; games that exploit racism and xenophobia. Australians should be ashamed that it is working.
Also, asylum seekers actually do have legal rights within Australia under its international obligations. This case is unique because the boat was intercepted inside Indonesia's search-and-rescue zone.
Until they are granted asylum the are illegals. we need to do the same lock them ship them out.
@NewyorkerR You are wrong. An asylum-seeker is a legal status well defined in the International Convention on Refugees, to which Australia is a signatory. It is not illegal under any law in Australia to be an asylum seeker. Australia does have problems with illegal immigrants but these are predominantly from western countries staying without visas, particularly from Britain.
plant
Would you consider jewish refugees from the holocaust illegal immigrants?
Australia is simply protecting our borders. The refugees start out in Indonesia so, by forcing them to stay in Indonesia instead of risking their lives in a un-seaworthy vessel, the Australian government is actually protecting their lives.
I wish someone was protecting our borders.
they're people!
i thought republicans and their oz counterparts were christians...
Thank you.
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