Human Rights

The decision of the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship to cut the intake of refugees from Africa from 50% to 30% of our annual intake is discriminatory and unjust. Our refugee and humanitarian intake of 13,000 people a year is already pathetic enough (we are 32nd in the world, without us turning our backs on Africa, the continent with one third of the entire world’s refugees and now more than ever in need of our assistance in particular with the situation in Sudan, Zimbabwe and DRC.  It is appaling that the reason Minister Andrews gave for this cut is because ”some groups don’t seem to be settling and adjusting into the Australian way of life”.  To be scapegoating African refugees who are more likely to be victims of crime than commit them in Australia is unfair.  The Australian government should be focusing on how to better support and resource refugees not to punish or discriminate against them on the basis of ballot box politiking. 

The 72 Sri Lankan asylum seekers found to be refugees by Australia continue to remain in limbo on Nauru. Australia is refusing to accept them and settle them in Australia despite being legally obligated to under the Refugee Convention.  It is truly appalling that the Australian government refuses to uphold it’s legal and moral reponsibilities and is now instead trying to find another country to take these 72 men.  What is the point of Australia being a signatory to the refugee convention if we ignore both it’s spirit and intention?