[Greens-Media] Boats haven’t stopped, Morrison is just returning them to danger

[Schultz-Byard, Noah (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday, 29 November 2014

Boats haven’t stopped, Morrison is just returning them to danger

A returned Sri Lankan asylum vessel has shown that refugees haven’t stopped seeking protection by boat and the Abbott government should be focussing on finding safe ways for them to reach Australia, not towing them back to persecution, the Australian Greens have said.

“Refugees need to be protected, not towed back to be imprisoned by their persecutors,” the Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Scott Morrison has destroyed countless lives and spent billions of dollars on deterrence, but to what end? People still need protection from oppressive regimes, refugees will still flee in any way they can and now 37 asylum seekers are in a Sri Lankan jail.

“The Coalition’s tow-backs have been slammed by the UN as a serious and dangerous breach of the Refugee Convention.

“Australia can save lives at sea while caring for refugees. We should be working with our neighbours in the region, accelerating refugee processing and increasing Australia’s intake. That’s the only way we can ensure that people are given a safe way to reach protection.”


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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