[Greens-Media] Australia must assess Sri Lankan asylum claims before any other country

Mon Jul 28 09:12:41 EST 2014

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 28 July 2014

Australia must assess Sri Lankan asylum claims before any other country

All 157 Sri Lankan asylum seekers currently being held in the Curtin detention centre must understand that they have rights in Australia and the Abbott Government must respect those rights, the Australian Greens have said.

"It's so important that these people understand that they have rights and that there are Australians who care about them. That's why I'll be travelling to Curtin in the coming days," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"I will be seeking to clarify what medical support is being offered to those families, and especially the children, while at the Curtin centre.

"I fear for what will happen to these children, who have been through a month long ordeal on the high seas and have now been dumped in the desert.

"There is no basis in law for India's involvement in the assessment of these asylum claims in Australia.

"The Indian Government doesn't process people's claims in India, it is all left to the UNHCR, and they shouldn't be involved in the process here in Australia.

"This is nothing more than a smokescreen from the Abbott Government. Sri Lankan refugees have made it to Australian soil and they are asking for our help.

"They must be assessed by Australian authorities and, if they are in need of protection, kept safe from their persecutors."

Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760

NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER

OFFICE OF SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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