Processes fair and thorough
Letter to the Editor - Canberra Times, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Burnie Advocate, Sunday Age
6 January 2004
Dear Sir/Madam
Howard Glenn's claims that the offshore refugee assessment processes on Nauru were "dodgy" (Six more detainees bring end to hunger strike - 5/1/2004) are unfounded.
The processes used by the UNHCR and Australia in Nauru (and in PNG) were fair and thorough. The Australian process was modelled closely on the refugee assessment processes used by the UNHCR around the world.
All of the asylum seekers were interviewed by either Australian or UNHCR officials so that their claims could be explored in person. If they were not approved, they were able to seek a complete reassessment of their case, including a second interview by a new decision-maker.
Australia uses independent interpreters with the appropriate qualifications for refugee interviews. These interpreters are bound by a code of ethical conduct and are not the people making the refugee decisions.
Almost half of the 1,500 people who had their refugee claims assessed by Australian or UNHCR officials in Nauru and Manus were found to be refugees and have been resettled in a range of countries. The approval rates between Australian and UNHCR decision-makers were comparable.
Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA