West Papua
Papuan refugees face closer scrutiny
Dennis Shanahan and Stephen Fitzpatrick
October 04, 2006
The Australian
PAPUAN asylum-seekers face tougher scrutiny in Australia over fears that political activists are manipulating the system to guarantee successful applications for asylum that are damaging relations with Indonesia.
The federal Government will look more closely at applications from Papuans after John Howard and Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone discussed the latest claims that more asylum-seekers from the province were on their way.
Senator Vanstone warned that any new Papuan asylum-seekers might find themselves taken to Nauru for processing.
She hinted of other unspecified measures to be taken if the actions of Papuan asylum- seekers were deemed to be "not in Australia's national interest".
Ms Vanstone said that while not doubting the veracity of their claims, the federal Government did not want asylum-seekers risking their lives in shaky boats crossing the dangerous waters of the Torres Strait.
Mr Howard said yesterday he had concerns about the latest claims that another boatload of asylum-seekers was coming from Papua because of apparent manipulation of the Australian asylum system.
To read the full article from The Australian, click on:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20521643-2702,00.html
Dennis Shanahan and Stephen Fitzpatrick
October 04, 2006
The Australian
PAPUAN asylum-seekers face tougher scrutiny in Australia over fears that political activists are manipulating the system to guarantee successful applications for asylum that are damaging relations with Indonesia.
The federal Government will look more closely at applications from Papuans after John Howard and Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone discussed the latest claims that more asylum-seekers from the province were on their way.
Senator Vanstone warned that any new Papuan asylum-seekers might find themselves taken to Nauru for processing.
She hinted of other unspecified measures to be taken if the actions of Papuan asylum- seekers were deemed to be "not in Australia's national interest".
Ms Vanstone said that while not doubting the veracity of their claims, the federal Government did not want asylum-seekers risking their lives in shaky boats crossing the dangerous waters of the Torres Strait.
Mr Howard said yesterday he had concerns about the latest claims that another boatload of asylum-seekers was coming from Papua because of apparent manipulation of the Australian asylum system.
To read the full article from The Australian, click on:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20521643-2702,00.html
posted by Pax Christi @ Wednesday, October 04, 2006
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