#10YearsTooLong
On this day 10 years ago, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that all people seeking asylum by boat would be transferred and detained offshore and would never be allowed to settle in Australia.
Today, the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) renews its call for the Australian Government to end its cruel and inhumane offshore processing regime and create a safe, permanent pathway to settlement for every person subject to offshore processing.
This cruel offshore processing regime has seen thousands of people seeking asylum detained on Nauru and Manus Island in Papua New Guinea subjected to “systemic human rights violations”, according to Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council, François Crépeau. Medical neglect and mistreatment, torture, physical and sexual assault, and conditions that resulted in children suffering from traumatic withdrawal syndrome, are some of the horrific conditions people detained in offshore processing are subject to.
Ultimately, 14 people detained in Australia’s offshore processing regime lost their lives, many by suicide. RACS emphasises that the human cost of this bipartisan policy is untenable.
“A decade since the reestablishment of Australia’s offshore processing regime, it continues to inflict immeasurable harm to the men, women and children subject to it. A decade on, people subject to offshore processing are still awaiting an opportunity to finally rebuild their lives in safety,” said Arif Hussein, RACS Supervising Senior Solicitor.
While in recent weeks the last refugees on Nauru have been transferred onshore, at least 80 people remain trapped in Papua New Guinea. They are still waiting for permanent protection and safety, to end their time stuck in limbo.
“Rudd’s announcement 10 years ago continues to underpin Australia’s asylum policy and is used as a template by countries around the world. It is not a policy we should be proud of,” Arif Hussein said.
While Leader of the Opposition, Prime Minister Albanese indicated he would govern with compassion and decency if elected. As long as Australia’s inhumane offshore processing regime continues under his leadership, he can never claim that he has achieved this.
Arif Hussein said, “The federal government must end uncertainty and abusive treatment for people seeking asylum. There must be a safe and fair process for them to seek permanent protection in Australia.”
ENDS