Asylum seekers conditions in detention

The Leader - 29 July 2002

Dear Sir/Madam

A number of statements (Letter to the Editor - Asking for Protection, 24 July, 2002) relating to asylum seekers and conditions in detention are misleading and require correction.

Many unauthorised arrivals do pay large sums of money to people smugglers to bring them here from countries of first asylum where they have effective protection. Australia does not deny that many of these people are genuine refugees but there are many with fewer resources who are in greater need of the protection that Australia can provide, such as those languishing in refugee camps with no other options.

UNHCR works with a number of resettlement countries including Australia to refer cases for resettlement where other options are not available. These people have been placed in a resettlement queue.

About 80 per cent of unauthorised arrivals reach Australia without identity or travel documents. Many people destroy their documentation en route to Australia in the mistaken belief that a preferred outcome will be more easily achieved if they cannot be readily identified.

People in detention centres are provided with safe and secure accommodation and a wide range of facilities and services including health services, religiously, nutritionally and culturally appropriate meals, religious services, educational opportunities and recreational pursuits.

Stewart Foster
Director, Public Affairs
Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs