Refugee advocacy groups have reacted with alarm at Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s comments regarding asylum seekers on the ABC’s Lateline program.
Carr’s declaration that the majority of asylum seekers are economic migrants is simply wrong and does not stand up to the slightest scrutiny. Nor do his pronouncements augur well that a Rudd Labor government will break from Gillard Labor’s harsh refugee policies.
“Bob Carr said that asylum seekers were now from majorities in their home countries. But Hazaras, who comprise the largest groups of Afghan asylum seekers are a persecuted minority in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Similarly, the majority of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka are from the Tamil minority persecuted by the Rajapaksa regime,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Kevin Rudd must take the opportunity to totally repudiate Bob Carr on asylum seekers. Rudd also has the opportunity to break with Gillard’s Pacific Solution when he visits Indonesia next week.
“The Indonesian government is requesting that Australia accept 2000 UNHCR refugees from Indonesia per year. The Expert Panel recommended that Australia accept 3800 refugees a year ‘from the region.’ Timely processing of asylum seekers and resettlement of refugees from Indonesia would be the first step to providing a safe alternative for asylum seekers seeking protection in Australia.
“When Julia Gillard toppled Kevin Rudd, he famously declared that he would not be moving to the right on refugees. Rudd can now make good on his promise by closing Nauru and Manus Island and ending the government’s “no advantage” rules that are denying processing and the right to work to thousands of asylum seekers now living in poverty in the Australian community.
“Refugee policy will be a touchstone for the credibility of a new Rudd administration. Gillard Labor embraced the policies of the Howard Liberal government and began a race to the bottom with Tony Abbott. Unless Kevin Rudd breaks from Gillard’s toxic anti-refugee policies, he will be condemned for embracing Liberal policies, in the same as Gillard was,” said Rintoul.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
