(Source: Christmas Island Detention Centre by Flickr User DIAC Images)
Despite the announcement that refugee applications could start within the next few weeks, hunger strikes and cases of self-harm by asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru continue.
Refugee advocacy groups claim at least nine asylum seekers on Nauru have sewn their lips together, while others have attempted suicide as a form of protest against processing wait times.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the protests wouldn’t get asylum seekers anywhere.
“Having a hunger strike or anything like that does not change people’s outcomes.”
This hard-line stance taken by the Prime Minister seems to be reflected in the every day citizens of Australia.
Diversitat Settlement Services Team Leader Suzanne Cooper believes asylum seekers and refugees are suffering from various forms of racism within Australia.
“There will always be a fear of the unknown,” she said.
Diversitat is a not-for-profit organisation providing services to the Geelong region in the areas of immigration, welfare, community development and employment.
“It’s hard for refugees to feel welcome when some are spat on, not allowed a seat on the bus or have rocks thrown through their window,” Ms Cooper said.
She believes politicians demonise refugees and asylum seekers and place fears of terrorism in the eyes of Australians.
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) aims to address the misconceptions surrounding asylum seekers, stating most leave their homes as a last resort to escape persecution and acquire safety for themselves and their families.
RCOA Communications Manager Andrew Williams believes policy debates in Canberra play a critical role on asylum seeker and refugee opinion.
“While you’ve got both sides of politics sparring over border control and coming up with one liners about refugee and asylum policy, they command so much media attention that the coverage is dominated by the barbs across the chamber from both sides of politics.
“This leaves less space for proper discussion on refugee and asylum seeker issues,” he said.
With this in mind, it seems our ‘lucky country’ may not be the refuge asylum seekers want and need.
Who is populating Australia’s detention centres?
According to the 2011-12 Department of Immigration and Citizenship Annual Report:
- 12,967 people were taken into immigration detention during 2011-12
- 10,385 were unauthorised arrivals
- 2,455 were people who had overstayed or breached visa conditions
- 68 were foreign fishers
- 59 were in ‘other’ categories (seaport arrivals, stowaways and ship deserters)
Below is a timeline showing the total number of boats and people arriving on Australian shores from 1975-2012. These statistics are sourced from a report by Janet Phillips and Harriet Spinks, titled ‘Boat arrivals in Australia since 1976’.
Timeline: Boat Arrivals In Australia Since 1976 – By Financial Year Settings
Related Links
Hunger Strikes & Suicide Attempts At Nauru Detention Centre
PM Tells Asylum Seekers Hunger Strikes Will Not Change Outcome
