Asylum seekers quit Naru for Sri Lanka !
Posted on October 3rd, 2012
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Beginning of September, Australia re-introduced the asylum policy of sending asylum seekers to Naru Island. The first batch was charteredƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ on 15th Sept. Eleven years ago, Prime Minister John Howard followedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the same policy. As a result,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ arrival of unauthorised boats declined dramatically. ButƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ when the Labour PartyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ came to power, they abandoned this policyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and adopted a soft approach.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
During the previous govt, PM Howard hadƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ even threatened to turn boats back to where they came from. The govtƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ which was at logger-heads with the opposition on this issue was pointing the finger at Sri Lanka for the exodus of refugees. But it was obvious that this was due to relaxed laws and asylumƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ seekers were welcomed in AustraliaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ without opposition.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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Finally, the govtƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ agreed with the opposition to enforce the ‘Nauru asylum policy’.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They had gone a step further and endorsed that the current refugees will not be allowed to reunite with their immediate family members. These deterrentsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ sent aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ strongƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ message toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ refugeeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ smuggling networks who advertise ‘greener pastures’ and charge heavy fares for their passage.
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The new policy had immediate effect, as one person on the first day itself abandoned his application for refugee status and volunteered to return to Sri Lanka. This was followed by 18 others next day. Later 23 moreƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ had lined up.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ SoƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ these asylum seekersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are not genuine. Therefore, the claim byƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Human Right activists, NGO’s, Global Tamil Forum,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and so onƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that people were leaving SriƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Lanka because of discrimination, persecution,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ abduction, torture and so on areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ not true. Now that the tables have turned the other way it has become clear that these groups have been lobbying false propaganda to discredit Sri Lanka.
October 3rd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Bad news.
So these DIRTIEST and MOST OPPORTUNIST criminals are coming back to SL. Disgusting. Australia is better for them.
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Prof: Rohan Gunarathe warn Australia long years ago about influx of bogus asylum seekers. The advice was given by a brown skin Asian Man therefore it was ignored. After introduction of volunteered to return to Sri Lanka its proof beyond doubt these asylum seekers are not genuine. Same way USA, Canada, UK, EU and Australia and other countries will understand the claim by Human Right activists, NGO’s, Global Tamil Forum and so on that people were leaving Sri Lanka because of discrimination, persecution, abduction, torture and so on are not true. By that time those countries will learn their bitter experience with Tamils having little Jaffna all over the word.