Australia offers new hope for refugees

Australia, 28th November: A new ray of hope awaits refugees and asylum seekers due to relaxed standing by the government of Australia.

As per the information, the Australian government has announced ending discrimination towards asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat.

The latest step comes following huge international criticism on the treatment meted out to asylum seekers on humanitarian grounds.

Refugee Review Tribunal for asylum seekers in Australia—The government of Australia has softened its stand on asylum seekers in Australia. It has announced to provide asylum seekers coming here by sea access to the provisions of Refugee Review Tribunal with effect from next year.

As of now, this provision is only meant for asylum seekers coming to Australia by air.

Release of 100 boat arrivals—The government has also announced winding back of Australia’s immigration detention network for those arriving by boat. 27 people were released by the government on Australia bridging visas recently and a minimum of 100 are going to be released each month.

Speaking about the recent move, Australian immigration minister Chris Bowen said the government will release asylum seekers from detention and will offer them Australian bridging visas until their refugee claims are being assessed.

He said the government has taken such a move for those asylum seekers are no threat to the integrity or security of the nation. A common practice, until now, has been to lock up asylum seeking boat arrivals at remote detention centers until the finalization of their refugee status.

New move means ability to live and work in community-- The changed rules for asylum seeking boat arrivals will enable them live in the community and work while they are being processed . this will bring them in equivalent condition as available to asylum seekers coming by air and Australian visa overstayers.

The recent steps towards asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat has been welcomed by the United Nations(UN). The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said this will boost the asylum system’s credibility of the nation.

However, immigration minister Bowen has clarified that a bridging visa will not be issued to everyone. He maintained that the government of Australia believes that offering bridging visas is a better option of handling arrivals than lodging them in detention centers.

He also hinted that the bridging visas will be offered first to those who have stayed in the detention for longest period, have suffered trauma or torture and have support from family or friends.