Amnesty International, in a press brief on Tuesday, expressed deep concern over the Australian government’s secrecy over the handling of asylum seekers found at sea and their high risk of torture upon transfer Sri Lankan authority custody.
Noting the Australian government’s pledge to provide notice in the event it decided to hand over asylum seekers to Sri Lankan authorities as a “small step in the right direction,” Amnesty International Australia’s Refugee Spokesperson Fraeme McGregor warned,
“Amnesty International continues to have deep concerns about the shroud of secrecy imposed by the Government all under the guise of border security.”“Earlier this week, in an unprecedented move, the Government confirmed it had subjected 41 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to what it calls an ‘enhanced screening process’ via video link. This denied asylum seekers a fair and adequate chance for their refugee claims to be processed."
“Asking asylum seekers only four questions each before handing them back to Sri Lankan authorities runs an extremely high risk of returning genuine refugees to torture, persecution or death,” said McGregor.
“If the Australian government wants to address the loss of asylum seekers’ lives, it should not be returning them to a country where their lives may be in grave danger. Australia stands alone in failing to recognise the ongoing human rights violations taking place in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Australia confirms intercepting second boat of asylum seekers, looks to make deportation decision on Friday (08 July 2014)
Australia confirms handing over first boat to Sri Lankan authorities, second boat remains unaccounted for (07 July 2014)
Asylum seekers have already been tortured by Sri Lankan forces (04 July 2014)
UNHRC expresses 'profound concern' over Australia's handling of Tamil asylum seekers (03 July 2014)
SL navy official confirms asylum seekers to be handed back (02 Jul 2014)
Australia silent on fate of asylum seeker boat (30 Jun 2014)
Concern grows for 153 Tamil asylum seekers at sea (29 Jun 2014)
Australia denies asylum seeker boat in trouble (28 Jun 2014)
ATC calls on Australian government to ensure safety of stranded refugees (28 Jun 2014)
Tamil asylum seekers stranded in Australian waters, Abbott deflects questions (27 Jun 2014)
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