Detainees Removed
Letter to the Editor - The Australian
13 January 2005
Dear Sir/Madam
The removal from Australia this week of two immigration detainees was without incident and allegations by advocates of abuse are totally false (Refugees deported, 13/1/05).
Both men had no legal right to remain in Australia. They have had their protection claims thoroughly considered and been found conclusively to face no well-founded fear of persecution.
These judgements are made on the individual facts of each case and do not rely on sweeping and superficial generalisations that particular countries are either “safe” or “not safe” for their own nationals.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs takes
seriously its obligation under the Refugee Convention and does not return people
to a place where they have a well-founded fear of persecution.
Roger Wheatley
Acting Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA