Thread by @drlouisehansen

For the Prime Minister of Australia:

Dear Scott Morrison,

I am writing to you because I am concerned about Australia’s refugee policy and human rights record. 1/20

Australia appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Council for its Universal Periodic Review in Geneva on January 20, 2021. More than 40 nations questioned Australia’s policies toward asylum seekers and refugees. 2/20

The 2021 Human Rights Watch concluded: “It is disappointing to see Australia doubling down on policies that have caused immense harm to asylum seekers and are repeatedly condemned by the United Nations and other governments. 3/20

While Australia has abandoned its responsibilities, it’s good to see the rest of the world has not.”

Since the year 2000, there have been dozens of deaths in Australia's immigration detentions and more than 20 suicides. 4/20

One man publicly set himself on fire at Nauru to protest how he was being treated. Several more have committed suicide after release. 5/20

Countless inquiries, including the government’s own doctors, report systematic abuse, violence and medical neglect of people seeking asylum in Australia. Despite all these calls, Australia continues to punish highly vulnerable people. 6/20

The cost is their lives, the Australian taxpayers and the sense of itself as a humane, decent country.

Since it is not an offence to arrive in Australia unauthorised or via any means to seek asylum why do you consider these people as “illegal”? 7/20

Can you please specify what offence do they commit? Do you believe it is right to detain adults and children who have not committed any offence? Do you believe Australia’s policy of indefinite mandatory detention of asylum seekers is humane, decent or fair? 8/20

How much does it cost Australia each year to pursue its current policy?

Today, there is a humane, legal and evidence based guide available to renew Australia’s refugee policy. 9/20

The Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at the University of NSW Sydney is the world’s leading research centre dedicated to the study of international refugee law. 10/20

The Centre was founded in 2013 by former refugees Andrew and Renata Kaldor who are now honorary doctorates. 11/20

The Centre undertakes rigorous research on displacement issues in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and contributes to public policy by promoting legal, sustainable and humane solutions to forced migration. 12/20

Professor McAdam, the director of the Centre, said Australia’s offshore processing, boat turnbacks and mandatory detention "not only deny the humanity to people that applied and deflect problems elsewhere, it violates many of our obligations under international law”. 13/20

In 2019, the Centre published a document citing seven principles which should be key to Australia's refugee policy, supported by law and evidence based research:

1. Australia should comply with its international legal obligations. 14/20

2. Australia should provide humane, fair reception conditions: by ending mandatory indefinite detention, process asylum claims in Australia and not offshore, and enable dignified living conditions for all people seeking asylum. 15/20

3. Australia should provide a fair, efficient and transparent system for processing asylum claims.
4. Australia should respect the principles of family unity and the best interest of the child. 5. Australia should create additional safe, lawful pathways to protection. 16/20

6. Australia should provide global and regional leadership on refugee protection.
7. Australia should invest in refugees for long term success. 17/20

Through outstanding research and engagement, the Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law has become recognised as an intellectual powerhouse with global impact. One would think that this Centre should drive Australia’s refugee policy. 18/20

In the 21st century, we can no longer treat asylum seekers and refugees like pawns in a game of political chess. We call on the Morrison Government to release all people from indefinite detention urgently so they can recover their health and live freely in the community. 19/20

I would be grateful for your response.

Kind regards

Dr Louise Hansen
Psychologist and PhD 20/20

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