violation of our international treaties, mandatory detention centre and violation of
basic human rights. We have changed from a country which bases its ideal on
democracy, freedom and justice to that of a country that refuses to accept refugees on
the ground of humanitarian. The Australia Government should treat asylum seekers
with greater respect, one will guarantee them life, liberty and values.
The universal declaration of human rights is the most widely accepted
international convention in human history. Most countries in the world are
parties to it. Article 14 of the universal declaration of human rights provides
that every person has a right to seek asylum in any territory to which they can gain
access. Despite that almost universally 'accepted' rule, when a person arrives in
Australia and seeks asylum, we lock them up. We lock them up indefinitely and in
conditions of the utmost harshness. Australia is creating a situation where mandatory
detention not only breaches international law, but also our obligation towards Asylum
seeker as a whole. We are creating a situation where women and children can be held
in detention centre that lacks proper care and safety. The Australian Government
should stop depriving refugees of their basic rights and treat them as a proper human
being. The Government's treatment toward Asylum seeker is anything but respectful
and changes are needed to ensure that Asylum seekers are treated human and with
dignity.
Australia is becoming known as one of the toughest countries on asylum
seekers who arrive illegally on its shores. Its strict mandatory detention policy is
widely criticized by the UN, refugee organizations, and opposition parties in Australia.
The policy is not only arbitrary, but also flawed. Recent events, such as the Tampa
affair, child overboard affair, Cornea Rea, Nauru etc has revealed the willingness of
our Government's to