Indonesia Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Refugee Advocacy Network

Asylum boat tragedy could have been averted: policy change can save lives; rescue too slow

June 24, 2012

From the timeline of contacts between Australian authorities and the capsized asylum boat indicated by Home Affairs Ministers, Jason Clare, it seems that more timely action by the Australian rescue authorities could have averted the latest asylum boat tragedy. “There is a need for a full inquiry into the information that all Australian authorities had about this boat,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition. “The lack of coordination between Indonesia and Australian rescue authorities is a serious…

Government to blame for asylum seeker deaths at sea

June 24, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

The lives of nearly 100 asylum seekers feared drowned at sea between Australia and Indonesia were entirely preventable. The Refugee Action Collective places the blame for these lives lost with the Australian government and demands people smuggling is decriminalised to prevent any further loss of life. “Refugees are some of the world’s most vulnerable people. They need our help, not the various stages of torture we put them through to try and stop them from seeking asylum. We should help…

INDONESIA: Asylum seekers take to boats out of frustration

June 24, 2012

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PUCAK, 22 June 2012 (IRIN) – Refugees and asylum seekers in Indonesia, many of whom fled persecution and conflict in their home countries, say they are being driven to get on boats for Australia out of frustration with the resettlement process. “It’s been two years that I have been here. How long am I supposed to wait?” asked Liaqat Ali Yousufi, 32, an ethnic Hazara from Afghanistan’s eastern Ghazni Province, who was registered as a refugee in November 2011 and…

Australian Greens statement on asylum boat tragedy

June 22, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

The sinking of an asylum seeker boat north of Christmas Island yesterday is a tragedy, the Australian Greens said this morning. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this awful tragedy, and we hope that as the rescue operation continues more survivors will be found,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “We express our support for the brave efforts of all Australian and Indonesian personnel involved in the rescue effort. “The Australian Greens reaffirm our…

Blaming refugees for people smugglers’ tricks not the solution: Greens

June 8, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

Desperate people will keep risking everything they have and flee for Australia via leaky boats if they feel they have no other alternative because of limited protection options, the Australian Greens said today. “In the rush to punish people smugglers, we mustn’t lose sight of the bigger picture and the causes that force people to run for their lives,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “People will continue fleeing from war, torture or persecution and will always take their…