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

Inside the Indonesian 'solution'

By Andrew Bartlett - posted Monday, 9 November 2009


It also states that

... families are generally housed in more appropriate accommodation, when there are women and babies. However, there are many 13 to 17-year-old children in adult jails, slipping through the cracks because they are alone and do not have parents or siblings to look out for them.
Advertisement

Equally problematic, from the point of view of the effectiveness of the policy behind Australia funding these measures, as well as from a general human rights perspective, the processing time for asylum claims is slow and unclear.

Detainees are to be processed by UNHCR, which is hugely under-resourced and overworked. Consequently, processing often takes many months. It is not uncommon for people to wait 24 to 36 months between their initial registration and their refugee status determination. Delays depend on a number of factors, including geographical location of the applicant (for example in Jakarta, applicants have fairly easy access to UNHCR, but in the remote centres, access is more difficult, and delays are often prolonged).

People routinely wait for many months to be registered and interviewed by UNHCR. It may take another 12-18 months after interview to receive a determination. Positive findings of refugee status are meaningless in the current context, as there is no prospect of third country resettlement. Refusals are often given without reasons, either written or oral, despite UNHCR guidelines to the contrary.

The report quotes figures from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) that there are currently around 2000 asylum seekers and refugees currently being held in prisons, detention centres and compounds across Indonesia. The cost for the upkeep for these people is funded by the Australian government in an effort to try to prevent or discourage them from trying to reach Australia by boat.

Advertisement

UNHCR figures indicate that there are 2,107 people registered with UNHCR (as at October 26, 2009).

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


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

7 posts so far.

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

About the Author

Andrew Bartlett has been active in politics for over 20 years, including as a Queensland Senator from 1997-2008. He graduated from University of Queensland with a degree in social work and has been involved in a wide range of community organisations and issues, including human rights, housing, immigration, Indigneous affairs, environment, animal rights and multiculturalism. He is a member of National Forum. He blogs at Bartlett's Blog.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Andrew Bartlett

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Andrew Bartlett
Article Tools
Comment 7 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy