UNHCR asks Australia to clarify reported asylum seeker 'push-offs'
The UN refugee agency has sought clarification from the government of Australia about reports that it is preventing vessels which may be carrying asylum seekers from entering Australian territorial waters. The new reports follow Australia's refusal in recent weeks to admit two earlier groups of possible asylum seekers attempting to reach the country by boat.
CANBERRA, September 14 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency's Canberra office has sought clarification from the government about reports that Australia is preventing vessels which may be carrying asylum seekers from entering its territorial waters. The request for clarification comes after Australian media reported two boats with possible asylum seekers being refused entry to Australia in recent days.
In a statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it was concerned that asylum seekers may be facing rejection at the Australian border without being granted access to fair and effective procedures for determining their status. "Any such rejection runs counter to a number of conclusions reached by UNHCR's Executive Committee, of which Australia is a member, and are incompatible with general obligations voluntarily assumed by Australia under the 1951 Refugee Convention," the agency said.
UNHCR also expressed concern that Australia's measures could reverse an "important and longstanding humanitarian tradition against so-called 'push-offs'". Australia played a significant role in the international effort in the 1970s and early 80s to ensure the rescue of Indo-Chinese boat people and to combat "push-offs" by coastal states.
In addition to the two recently reported boat arrivals, Australia saw the arrival in late August 2001 of over 430 asylum seekers rescued at sea by the Norwegian freighter Tampa. A further 200 asylum seekers were intercepted at sea by Australian naval vessels on September 8. The Australian Federal court ruled that Australia's refusal to allow the asylum seekers aboard the Tampa to enter Australia was illegal. The government has appealed the decision.
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No. 11: Alternatives to Detention of Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Ophelia Field
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Papua New Guinea
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Australia
... Australia hosts almost 60,000 refugees and 80,000 asylum seekers. Most are from the Middle East or Asia. It’s estimated that 8,000 people are stateless. UNHCR’s Office in Canberra promotes ...... -
Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries, 2014
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The Interdiction of Asylum Seekers at Sea: Law and (mal)practice in Europe and Australia
May 2017 ... Violeta Moreno-Lax May 2017 POLICY BRIEF 4 The Interdiction of Asylum Seekers at Sea: Law and (mal)practice in Europe and Australia About the author Dr Violeta Moreno-Lax is Lecturer in Law, ...... -
7. The Return of Persons not in Need of International Protection. Annex 6 - Alternatives to Detention of Asylum-Seekers and Refugees
2011 ... LEGAL AND PROTECTION POLICY RESEARCH SERIES Alternatives to Detention of Asylum Seekers and Refugees ... APPENDICES Country Sections Page AUSTRALIA......... -
New Zealand
... New Zealand hosts some 1,800 refugees and 700 asylum seekers predominantly from Asia, the Middle East, ... In 2022, New Zealand agreed with Australia to resettle 150 refugees per year for a three-year ...... -
Rejected asylum seekers: the problem of return, Gregor Noll
9 May 1999 ... ISSN 1020-7473 Working Paper No. 4 Rejected asylum seekers: the problem of return Gregor Noll ... Policies in Europe, North America and Australia (IGC). Available at: http://www.igc.ch. ...... -
UNHCR statement on Australia's repeal of Medevac legislation
5 Dec 2019 ... Wednesday, which may negatively impact vital care for asylum seekers in offshore processing facilities. ... More than 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers have been forcibly transferred by Australia to the ......