Asylum Decisions Handed Down on Nauru and Manus
Media Release - DPS 67/2002
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) announced today that in the week ending 8 September 2002, 506 asylum seekers on Nauru, predominantly Afghans, received the outcome of the review of the assessment of their claims for refugee status.
Of the Australian caseload, 30 asylum seekers were found at review to be refugees and 264 were found not to be refugees.
36 asylum seekers in the UNHCR caseload were found to be refugees and 176 were found not to be refugees.
The review hand-down process commenced in July on Nauru and at Manus in Papua New Guinea.
"Processing of remaining review cases on Nauru and Manus is continuing and these decisions are expected to be handed down shortly," a departmental spokesperson said.
People on Nauru and Manus have been provided with detailed information sessions covering the decision process, the implications of the decisions, and procedures for review of the initial refugee status assessment.
Under the Refugees Convention, refugee status is conferred where there is a current or foreseeable need for protection. People who are not in need of protection will be expected to return to their country of origin as soon as circumstances permit.
10 September 2002
Attachment: Processing Status of Refugee assessments (26KB PDF file)
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