Fast forward to Australia in 2014, and it seems the importance (both historical and contemporary) of such a protection has been lost on the Abbott government. They are clearly distracted by their dire unpopularity on the back of breaking almost every election promise they made... hence they are clinging so desperately to their stop the boats slogan/policy.
While the reports on recent boat arrivals are sketchy, due to the direct intervention of the government, it seems they are somewhat credible. And if as suggested Scott Morrison is overseeing the transfer of refugees back into the hands of their claimed persecutors, he may be doing the equivalent of giving Tamil refugees a pair of Cement Shoes. This is essentially deaths at sea, albeit in a different form and with a whole new level of culpability for the government.
But of course as these are 'on water' matters, no one has a right to know... especially not those in whose name Morrison is taking such action.
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There are reports these people have been handed over to the Sri Lankan navy, which would contravene our obligations under the refugee convention.
The Sri Lankan navy denies reports they have received asylum seekers transferred from a boat within Australian territorial waters. But in time the truth will come out as at least four of those on board one of the boats have been identified and confirmed.
More recent updates suggest that people are being screened at sea using a series of only 4 questions which includes: their name, country of origin, where they had come from and why they had left.
"Sri Lankan human rights lawyer Lakshan Dias has said the Australian government was acting in a ‘radically illegal’ way and violating international law."
One thing is for certain... Morrison and Abbott will likely have to stop their macabre reporting on how long it has been since a boat arrival... or the spurious claim that they have stopped the boats.
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What is even more alarming are the changes Morrison is seeking to push through parliament, which significantly raises the bar for those seeking asylum because they fear persecution. The previous test was that they were entitled to asylum if there was a 10% chance they might come to harm if they were to remain in their country of origin. Morrison plans to change that to 50%. The test is still somewhat subjective, but it seems Morrison is happy to take a 5 times bigger risk with other people's lives just to achieve a policy outcome that was based on a popularist slogan. Forget what is right, or even what might be considered fair. And forget our international reputation.
For a great take on the barbarity of Morrison's legislative changes, check out First Dog on the Moon.
If only their abhorrent asylum seeker policy was the only thing wrong with this dysfunctional government... I'll leave the rest of the commentary to our wonderful cartoonists below.