Asylum seekers are not political footballs
Submitted by Diet Simon on Fri, 09/04/2010 - 9:48pmBy Claire Mallinson, National Director, Amnesty International Australia
I've just heard the most appalling news - the Australian Government has announced a blanket suspension on processing new asylum claims by Afghan and Sri Lankan nationals.
Over 90 per cent of asylum seekers who arrive here by boat are found to have genuine claims for protection.
The situation remains desperate for many people in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Activists, journalists, women and minority groups among others face real threats to their lives.