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Sri Lanka applauds new asylum policy
The Australian - July 7, 2010
Paul Maley and Lanai Vasek – Julia Gillard's warning that more Sri Lankan refugee claims will fail has been applauded by the Sri Lankan government.
Yesterday, Ms Gillard announced the government would lift the three-month freeze on new Sri Lankan asylum claims and immediately resume the processing of 184 detained Sri Lankan boatpeople.
"I have a message for people in Sri Lanka who might be considering attempting the journey to Australia," the Prime Minister said.
"Do not pay a people-smuggler, do not risk your life, only to arrive in Australian waters and find that far, far more likely than not you will be quickly sent home by plane."
The freeze was imposed to allow the government to review changed country circumstances.
Yesterday, Sri Lanka's high commissioner to Australia, Senaka Walgampaya, said Ms Gillard's stance would deter would-be boatpeople. "The government had to take a principled stand on it as some point," Mr Walgampaya told The Australian.
Ms Gillard's announcement means authorities can now start processing the 184 Sri Lankans affected by the suspension.
Tamil refugee Nixon, who did not wish to reveal his last name, paid $US15,000 to board a boat in Sri Lanka last year.
The 21-year-old, who spoke to The Australian yesterday through an interpreter, spent five months in detention on Christmas Island before receiving a permanent refugee visa and relocating to Perth last November.
Nixon said any border protection policy should be aimed at treating asylum-seekers with respect and humanity.
"One of the people on my boat was so upset about the way things were going (on Christmas Island) and the length of time it took to get a visa that he tried to end his life," Nixon said.
"Any policy should be making sure the mental stability of people who have come all this way is maintained." Of the 194 Tamils who were on the same boat as Nixon, 20 remain in detention.
Nixon – who is studying at TAFE and looking for casual work – said Tony Abbott's pledge to turn boats around was "absolutely horrible". "It is a very dangerous journey... I would be very disappointed if Australia started turning boats away and putting lives in danger," Nixon said. "It is not the solution and I very much hope Mr Abbott rethinks that policy."
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