The recent refugee arrivals

Submitted by Jim Reiher on Thu, 23/04/2009 - 22:10.
in

The recent refugee arrivals

This week feels like being back in the bad old days of 2001-04. A few boat arrivals and the anti-asylum seeker rhetoric is whipped up by sections of the media. Sadly, the level of policy debate from our politicians is lacking in fact, and many are trying to make political mileage from the recent tragedy.

When cruel commentators like Andrew Bolt or when non-Labor politicians blame Mr Rudd’s policies for the death of 3 refugees, and even say that Howard’s policies did not cause deaths – they are either ignorant, or mischievously deceitful. The Coalition policy was directly responsible for the 353 deaths when the SIEV-X sank. It was filled with mostly women and children. They were trying to reach husbands and fathers in Australia who had been found to be refugees, but whose families were denied family reunion due to the Coalitions inhumane Temporary Protection Visa policy. Their only choice for reunion was the dangerous boat journey from Indonesia. 353 perished at sea!

When politicians call for a renewal of harsh policies like Temporary Protection Visas, they are (perhaps without realizing it) actually calling for policies that will increase desperate people resorting to dangerous boat trips. It will increase needless deaths.

Let’s consider some other actual facts:

 
Global numbers of asylum seekers have been rising for some time. According to UNHCR, the recent increases in Australia are reflected in the global trends. During 2001-2006, all countries experienced a large drop in asylum applications, then in 2007-2008 there was a universal increase of around 11%. The fact is that Australia is experiencing the same small increase in numbers currently happening all over the world. There is no increase due to policy change.
Let’s emphasize that: Australia's recent small increase in asylum arrivals are the same increases that all other countries are experiencing. It has nothing to do with domestic policy.
 
It must also be remembered that there was a huge surge in boat arrivals after deterrent policies were introduced, such as temporary protection visas.

The fact is that so-called harsh policies do not stop desperate people who are fleeing war and persecution. The only thing that works is creating safe options for refugees closer to home so they are not forced to travel the world seeking a secure, permanent haven.

What does the cynic really want? Do they really want to see Australia return to pushing boats back out to sea – boats full of persecuted women and children?

 
A false, and cruel phrase is often heard: “illegal refugees”. In the past week, there have been many examples of the media using the term 'illegals' when referring to asylum seekers. There is no such thing. The people using the term are purposely being emotional and hoping the hearer is not clear thinking. But a refugee can not by definition, be illegal! Every human being has the right to be a refugee! And refugees are not immigrants. (You can have illegal immigrants if people have overstayed visitors visas, etc – but you can NOT have illegal refugees). A refugee is fleeing desperate circumstances. They are the victim, not the baddy! They are people who have suffered terribly. They are not shrew opportunists!

Some good news: In March, the Minister introduced legislation to halt the practice of billing people for detention and to waive existing debts. As an Australian citizen, I only found out last year that refugees who had been in the detention centers (sometimes for years) would get a bill for their time in those holding centers, after they finally got out. And the bill could be for 6 figure amounts! I could not believe my ears when I first heard about this. It seemed so ridiculous. We don’t even charge prisoners in Australia for their food and board while in jail. In fact we give them a small allowance to help them get started again when they get out. (And that is sensible). But those held in detention centers? Huge impossible bills! The great news is that the waiver is close at hand. This is an important step forward for justice and will relieve an enormous burden on people in the community who had been charged for their detention. The bill to end this practice and to waive existing debts, is not due for debate and a vote until later this year, probably the May-June sitting period. The government should be commended for taking this important step.

 
Jim Reiher