Asylum Decisions Handed Down in Manus
Media Release - DPS 40/2002
A further 32 asylum seekers on Manus Island had received decisions this week from the Australian Government on their asylum claims, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) announced today.
Of these, 19 Iraqis and one other nationality were found to be refugees. The remaining 12 persons were not. These decisions bring to 336 the total number of decisions made for asylum seekers on Manus. Decisions made are set out below:
Refugee Decision Hand Down - Manus
Refugee Decision Hand Down - Manus |
|||||
Iraqi |
Other Nationalities |
Total |
|||
Approved |
Refused |
Approved |
Refused |
||
| Total decisions made to 28 June 2002 | 234 |
73 |
11 |
18 |
336 |
Only one asylum seeker on Manus is yet to have a decision made on their claims. This decision is awaiting substantiation of the individual's claims for protection and a decision will be finalised in the coming weeks.
Those found to be refugees will continue to receive support, including accommodation, food, clothing and medical care while resettlement opportunities are sought for them.
Australia will take its fair share of those found to be refugees but is seeking the assistance of the international community to provide resettlement opportunities in the spirit of international burden sharing.
All of those who are found not to be refugees will have the opportunity to obtain counselling on their options, and are able to request a review of the decision if they wish.
However, those found not to be refugees are expected to leave the country as soon as circumstances permit. Asylum seekers on Manus Island, Christmas Island and Nauru may opt at any time to return home voluntarily, as may detainees in Australia.
Four people are in immigration detention following a joint compliance operation in the Riverina area of NSW this week. The operation involved the ACT office of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) and NSW police.
Acting on community information, DIMIA officers and NSW police visited various premises in Leeton and Narrandera and detained four male Fiji nationals. They had either expired visas or were working in breach of visa conditions.
Two of the people were footballers who were sponsored by clubs in the area. Under the terms of sports visa sponsorships, clubs are required to fully support the overseas players they sponsor. Players are not to undertake outside employment to support themselves.
The people who remain in immigration detention will be moved to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney while arrangements are made for their departure from Australia, as required by law.
DIMIA officers make regular visits to workplaces in many parts of Australia, such as restaurants, farms, shops, offices, factories and brothels, in an effort to detect and locate people who are in the country illegally or who are working illegally.
DIMIA may also issue warning notices to employers or labour suppliers who are found to have employed illegal workers.
In 2000-01, 14,238 people were located by DIMIA. This includes people unlawfully in Australia who were found working in breach of their visa conditions as well as people who were unlawfully in the country.
28 June 2002
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