Australia Returns 28 Unlawful Arrivals to Vietnam
Media Release - DPS 18/2002
Australia has returned 28 unlawful non-citizens to Vietnam, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs announced today.
The group of 28 Vietnamese, including 20 men, four women and four children, were being detained on Cocos (Keeling) Islands after seeking to enter Australia without authority.
The charter flight, which was used to transfer the group, departed from Cocos Island this morning and arrived in Vietnam late this afternoon.
These people did not engage Australia's protection obligations and were returned with the cooperation of the Vietnamese Government, a Departmental spokesman said.
"The Australian Government has been working closely with a number of countries to secure the return of people found not to have a legal basis to remain in Australia," the spokesman said.
"This latest removal of unlawful arrivals sends a strong message that Australia will continue to fight people smuggling to preserve the integrity of Australia's borders."
23 March 2002
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