“DISHONEST and unprincipled” aptly describe Australia’s mistreatment of asylum seekers, for it is premised on the political lie that seeking protection from persecution is illegal, when in law it is not, and Australia has not withdrawn from the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. We remain bound by it.
Politicians may claim that they have to be cruel to be kind, but to lock up children so others desperately seeking asylum do not come by boat, and knowingly risk drowning, is immoral and wrong.
It approaches sadism, when mistreatment and acute suffering of non-criminal people is directed to continue, but out of our sight on Nauru and Manus Island.
The bipartisan policy of compulsory and indefinite detention has now been cruelly extended by a Coalition minister, to deny permanent residency to all who came by boat (not plane), refugee or not.
He is not for changing.
For the world to see, we are a selfish, wealthy people, isolated on an island fortress with the drawbridge up, naively expecting the “have nots” to ignore us.
A core promise from the Australian Labor Party is called for, to rescind this offensive legislation, which breaches human rights.
ALP party platform must fully comply with human rights law and Australian values of freedom, fairness and natural justice.
Frederika Steen
Chapel Hill, Qld
