Deportations put Australia in Breach of Refugee Convention

27 September 2007

Today it was reported that five Papuan asylum seekers were removed from Australia despite having asked for asylum. The Government has claimed this was not publicly reported as it was a 'routine operation.' Clearly this is not the case, as boat arrivals asylum seekers from other countries of origin such as Sri Lanka and Burma were at least removed to Nauru where their applications for protection were assessed.

"We find it unacceptable that our Government would breach our legal obligations to people needing our protection, particularly as it is not for border security but simply to appease a foreign Government. This has made Australia complicit in Indonesia's human rights abuses." said Kate Gauthier, National Coordinator.

Last year the Government tried to introduce a law to appease Indonesia, which would have sent all boat arrival asylum seekers to Nauru for processing, keeping them out of sight, out of mind. The public and the Government's own backbenchers spoke out strongly against this and the bill was withdrawn. Now without even the benefit of a law, the Government has gone even further by summarily deporting any West Papuan who arrives in Australia seeking protection.

"The Australian public and politicians, including Liberal backbenchers, spoke out when the Government tried and failed to legalise this sort of policy last year. By going ahead with the policy anyway, shows the Government has contempt for the democratic process when it gets in the way of achieving their goals."

Rumours from locals on Horn Island state that there was another group of asylum seekers earlier this year also deported without regard for their claims for asylum, but the Government remains tight-lipped on this case.

"Without doubt, the removal of these asylum seekers is a breach of international law, and puts Australia at the bottom of the class in human rights terms."

A Just Australia is also concerned with the removal of these men to PNG, as last Saturday more than 300 West Papuan refugees were evicted from their settlement outside Port Moresby.

"The protection being afforded to West Papuans in PNG is inadequate, and they remain in danger of being removed back to Indonesia. This means that any removal from Australia back to PNG is another breach of our international legal obligations."


For media comment:
Kate Gauthier 0414 876 139