A Just Australia calls for humanitarian approach towards asylum seekers on the Oceanic Viking

29 October 2009

A Just Australia is calling upon the Australian government to take a humanitarian approach towards the 78 asylum seekers on board the Australian Customs ship Oceanic Viking.

"The overriding priority is to make sure that no further harm comes to the asylum seekers," said Zhi Yan, national coordinator of A Just Australia.

"The asylum seekers are on board an Australian boat and there is a strong moral imperative upon Australia to take responsibility for their welfare. Bring them to Australia for assessment of their refugee claims. That's the most humane, commonsense and pragmatic course of action our government can take in this particular situation," she said.

"The situation might be different if Indonesia were able to provide adequate protection for refugees, but all the reports we've heard lately would suggest otherwise. This incident has really highlighted the lack of protection available to refugees in most countries in our region."

A Just Australia is strongly supportive of the development of a regional, collaborative strategy for resolving regional refugee issues. "That's the best long-term solution, absolutely, but right now we've got an urgent situation that needs to be resolved. It's a great opportunity for the Australian government to show leadership. It would give credence to Australia's efforts to encourage regional cooperation," said Ms Yan.

"That's why it's been so disappointing to see Kevin Rudd wade into this debate at the same irresponsible level set by Sharman Stone and other Shadow Cabinet extremists," said Ms Yan. "To hear the Prime Minister repeatedly use the term 'illegal immigration' was shocking."

"It will be very damaging to everyone if Mr Rudd or the extremists in Shadow Cabinet keep using the asylum seekers as political chesspieces," she said.

"Australians respect leaders who show a strong moral backbone when it comes to protecting the rights of the marginalised. It hurts our national psyche to have a defensive, zero-sum approach to people in need and to the rest of the world."

A Just Australia urges politicians on both sides of the debate to stop the political point-scoring, to adopt a bipartisan approach, to continue the reform of Australia's domestic refugee policies so that they meet our international human rights obligations, and to support the development of a regional protection framework with workable solutions.