define asylum seekers
people seeking international protection but whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined, may be fleeing rom way or persecution
what does Australia’s migration act of 1958 require
all “unlawful non citizens” to be detained in mandatory detention centre’s until granted visa, no limit to the period of time
when was the “unlawful non citizens” policy introduced
1992, maintained by successive governments
who does the “unlawful non citizens” policy affect
disproportionately affects asylum seekers who arrive by boat without authorisation
what changed in August 2012
what policies apply to these asylum seekers now depends on their mode of arrival and the date they arrived , those that arrived by boat are critically viewed
what was the policy in August 2012 called
turn back the boats, “operation sovereign borders”
define offshore processing
Australia’s unique practice of sending people seeking Asylum by boat to Nauru or Manus Islands where they are detained while refugee claims are being determined
when did offshore processing take place
2001-2008, started again in 2012
policy change of 19th July 2013
even if people were found to be refugees they’d never be resettled in Australia
why were detention centres condemned
their squalid conditions, water shortages, lack of clothing, outbreak of lice, gastroenteritis and bacterial skin infection, high mental illness, self harm and suicide rates, causing significant mental trauma on detainees both during and following detention (UN 2016 world health report)
who was the tension and conflict between
government vs AS advocates, doctors, The Human Rights Commission, UN, churches
arguments for detention centres
- policies have been successful, stopped people smugglers
- detention centres becoming empty
- stopping people taking the risky boat trip so deaths aren’t occurring
- effective deterrent
arguments against detention centres
- violates many human rights obligations
- arrangements with third countries don’t ensure that Aus’ non-refoulement obligations will be respected, AS at risk of being sent back to persecution
- conditions fall short of the minimum standards requires by treaties
- Manus held unfit for children and vulnerable, those already there should be returned to Aus
- cumulative impact of the poilcy on peoples physical and mental health
- found to constitute degrading treatment under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- Aus retains responsibility under International law for the treatment of AS on Manus and Nauru bc of their significant involvement
why is it relevant for religion
- religion has concerns about a range of issues
- negatively impacts on their beliefs and practices
- Roman Catholicism believes the human dignity of AS is not being respected
- CST states every person has value and are worthy of great respect and must be free from exploitation and manipulation
- humans are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26-27) have an inherent worth, value and distinction
views by Australian Catholic Bishops
- 2015-16 Social Justice Statement “For those who’ve come across the seas: justice for refugees and asylum seekers”
- calls for the processing of the AS claims onshore and for the limitation of detention to shortest possible for health and security checks
- views supported by belief humans are made in image and likeness of God, giving all humans inherent dignity
- dignity is foundation of CST
- shouldn’t have their dignity or freedom compromised
- poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice make it impossible to live a life with dignity
- Matthew 25:35 “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”
Matthew 25:35
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me”
What was Tony Abotts claim in 2015 about
Australians being sick of being lectured by the UN about human rights isolations
What did the Human Rights Watch World Report 2016 state
the governments failure to respect international standards for AS and refugees continues to take a heavy toll
criticizes australias outsourcing, turning back boats in unsafe conditions, squalid detention facilities
who supports the Human Rights Watch World Report 2016
Australian Catholic Bishops with their 2015/16 social justice statement
the Jesuits
- international catholic organisation with mission to accompany and advocate for refugees
- founded in November 1950 providing assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services
- visits the detention centres
St Vincent de Paul
- long history of helping migrants and refugees
- providing financial and information supports to those living in community
catholic education
- offering free education to refugee students
- sydney catholic schools ED dr dan white “The measure of a civilised society is how we treat the most vulnerable.”
- offering $400 every year for every refugee student
Why catholicism responds: scripture
- Genesis 1:26-27, made in image of God
- recognises our interdependence and mutual responsibility for others
- Matthew 25:35 “I was a stranger and you invited me in”
- parable of good samaritan Luke 20:25-37
- having mercy on those suffering
- loving others as yourself
why catholicism responds: tradition
- CCC 1738: image and likeness of God, freedom
- CCC 1929: social justice and dignity
- CCC 1932: being a neighbour to disadvantaged
- human dignity
- made in image and likeness of God
