Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

15 myths and facts about refugees

By James Harper - posted Monday, 15 October 2001


3. Indonesia should accept Muslim refugees.

Indonesia is racked by internal strife and economic instability. It already has a million internally displaced people.

The Refugee Review Tribunal has repeatedly stated that asylum seekers should not be sent to Indonesia, as Indonesia is likely to send them back to their home country regardless of the danger they may face there.

(Indonesia has not signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or related Protocol which obliges signatories to consider claims for asylum.)

Advertisement

Wealthy, stable countries can, and should, shoulder more of the burden. Norway has a population of 4.5 million, a quarter that of Australia, but granted asylum to 10 000 refugees last year.

4. People who arrive unauthorised are not "genuine" refugees

On average, 84 per cent of people arriving in Australia unofficially, by boat, are found to be legitimate refugees. In 1999, 97 per cent of applicants from Iraq without valid visas, and 93 per cent of those from Afghanistan, were found to be genuine refugees.

(Source: Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs)

The Australian Government’s approach seems premised on the view that only those who apply for asylum offshore, under its Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program should be considered more truly "deserving" than those who arrive unauthorised — a totally unrealistic approach, considering the dangers and bureaucratic hurdles that most asylum seekers face.

5. Refugees will create unemployment and "steal" Australians’ entitlements.

Refugees may require initial settlement support, and are entitled to such support under the UN Refugee Convention. Like migrants, refugees create demand for goods and services, stimulating the economy and generating growth and employment. Many are well educated, bringing skills that may be in short supply.

6. Boat people are "queue jumpers", stealing the places of "genuine" refugees waiting patiently in camps.

Many boat people have come from the refugee camps. There are more than 1.2 million Afghans people in refugee camps in Pakistan, and about 1.3 million in camps in Iran.

Advertisement

Refugees in the camps often find they have to pay large bribes to processing officials, to have their claims assessed.

In many of the countries generating high numbers of refugees, including Iraq and Afghanistan, there is no Australian diplomatic presence and no "queue" for would-be emigrants to join. Even to express a desire or intention to leave can be dangerous.

7. Boat people are rich because they can afford to pay people smugglers

A truly well-off person can afford other methods of getting to Australia than by making a perilous sea journey in an unreliable craft.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. All

This is an extract from a fact sheet complied for the Multicultural Development Association by Brisbane City Council in September 2001. An updated version of full paper can be downloaded here (pdf, 100kb).



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

James Harper is a researcher for the Brisbane City Council.

Related Links
Brisbane City Council
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy