Australia's Response To Refugees

Dear distinguished guests of the UN,

Global Overview

Human rights violations are a major factor and have triggered much concern in causing the flight of refugees as well as an obstacle to their safety and voluntary return home. Since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the recognition and protection of human rights internationally has grown enormously.

Refugees by definition are victims of human rights violations. According to the 1951 Refugee Convention the term ‘refugee’ applies to “any persons who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is

Since, federation, Australia has offered a permanent home to over 800,000 refugees and others in need of humanitarian protection – an indication that it’s a fairly open country. As so called refugees are pouring into Australia at a rate of over 100 per week via Indonesia the impact is huge. Australia has spent millions of dollars on detention centres, navy intercepts, funds for high court cases and welfare payments beyond relief. Australia has tried hard to be a good international citizen and has adopted many legal and non-legal measures regarding refugees such as the Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program, as well as developing a ‘national peace plan’. The challenges for Australia however, are to maintain the same level of commitment and enhance Australia’s reputation as a responsible member of the International

The government argues against people who say refugees have everything “handed to them on a platter” by saying that with these benefits migrants become better equipped to participate in all facets of Australian life.

Domestic non-legal measures

Global NGOs operate in Australia, including arms of Human Rights Watch, and the Red Cross. The Refugee Council of Australia is the head body representing the non-government organisations and individuals who support and provide assistance to refugees. Its initiatives include providing assistance when they return to their homelands, settlement support, legal advice as well as protection.

Effectiveness of domestic measures

While Australia’s response to accepting offshore refugees obeys with its responsibilities under the 1951 Refugee Convention, its treatment of onshore refugees has raised international criticism. Australia has been criticised for detaining asylum seekers unfairly and for unreasonably length periods, as shown in the case of A v Australia (UNHRC) (1997). A refugee was detained for four years while his status as a refugee was being determined. Despite the criticism, people are still held for long periods in immigration detention centres and mandatory detention