Asylum Seekers In Australia
Scott McCulloch – 4104576812
Argumentative Essay
Hypothesis
Australia should ban the indefinite mandatory detention of asylum seekers, and pursue a policy of Community Placement for those at stage two of the application process.
Abstract
Stage two indefinite mandatory detention should be banned in Australia. Enormous financial resources are being used to detain a vulnerable group that make up only 0.3 per cent of all immigration intake. As a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Australia has legal and humanitarian obligations to protect those fleeing persecution. The impact that indefinite mandatory detention has on the mental health of those seeking asylum is extremely harmful. A sensible alternative would …show more content…
Since 1992 Australia has had bipartisan support for laws that sanction the indefinite mandatory detention of asylum seekers in immigration centres within Australian territory and overseas. There are three procedural stages; an initial stage of detention, to determine the identity, health and security risk of those seeking asylum; stage two is the time taken to process applications and appeals (and is the longest stage of detention); the last stage is for those who have been unsuccessful in their applications and are awaiting removal from Australia (Brennan 2007, pp. 101-102). Community Placement programmes support asylum seekers within the community during stage two processing. Host families welcome refugees into their home and assist with everyday living. This essay will argue that detention at stage two of the asylum application process is economically wasteful, inhumane, and leads to a breakdown in the mental health of those being detained. It will also highlight the benefits of Community Placement, showing them to be fiscally appropriate, more in line with Australia’s human rights obligations, and focused on the well-being of an already vulnerable …show more content…
The above findings highlight the damaging psychological effects of indefinite imprisonment. A ban on stage two indefinite mandatory detention and the support of Community Placement programmes would remove unnecessary mental stressors from an already fragile group.
Both sides of the Australian government argue that detention acts as a deterrent. It is hoped that fear of indefinite imprisonment will put refugees off making the sometimes hazardous journey to get here. It is also feared that, should Australia relax its policies there will be an influx of ‘illegal immigrants’. Firstly, there is no evidence to suggest that indefinite mandatory detention acts as a deterrent. Rather, circumstances in the countries of origin are the main factor in seeking asylum. Recent statistics show the number of persons seeking asylum around the world has continued to increase in spite of governmental policies on detention (Edwards 2011, p. 3). Secondly, asylum seekers are not illegal immigrants; it is not illegal to seek asylum. As a signatory to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Australia must provide protection to people escaping oppression. (ASRC 2012, para
Argumentative Essay
Hypothesis
Australia should ban the indefinite mandatory detention of asylum seekers, and pursue a policy of Community Placement for those at stage two of the application process.
Abstract
Stage two indefinite mandatory detention should be banned in Australia. Enormous financial resources are being used to detain a vulnerable group that make up only 0.3 per cent of all immigration intake. As a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Australia has legal and humanitarian obligations to protect those fleeing persecution. The impact that indefinite mandatory detention has on the mental health of those seeking asylum is extremely harmful. A sensible alternative would …show more content…
Since 1992 Australia has had bipartisan support for laws that sanction the indefinite mandatory detention of asylum seekers in immigration centres within Australian territory and overseas. There are three procedural stages; an initial stage of detention, to determine the identity, health and security risk of those seeking asylum; stage two is the time taken to process applications and appeals (and is the longest stage of detention); the last stage is for those who have been unsuccessful in their applications and are awaiting removal from Australia (Brennan 2007, pp. 101-102). Community Placement programmes support asylum seekers within the community during stage two processing. Host families welcome refugees into their home and assist with everyday living. This essay will argue that detention at stage two of the asylum application process is economically wasteful, inhumane, and leads to a breakdown in the mental health of those being detained. It will also highlight the benefits of Community Placement, showing them to be fiscally appropriate, more in line with Australia’s human rights obligations, and focused on the well-being of an already vulnerable …show more content…
The above findings highlight the damaging psychological effects of indefinite imprisonment. A ban on stage two indefinite mandatory detention and the support of Community Placement programmes would remove unnecessary mental stressors from an already fragile group.
Both sides of the Australian government argue that detention acts as a deterrent. It is hoped that fear of indefinite imprisonment will put refugees off making the sometimes hazardous journey to get here. It is also feared that, should Australia relax its policies there will be an influx of ‘illegal immigrants’. Firstly, there is no evidence to suggest that indefinite mandatory detention acts as a deterrent. Rather, circumstances in the countries of origin are the main factor in seeking asylum. Recent statistics show the number of persons seeking asylum around the world has continued to increase in spite of governmental policies on detention (Edwards 2011, p. 3). Secondly, asylum seekers are not illegal immigrants; it is not illegal to seek asylum. As a signatory to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Australia must provide protection to people escaping oppression. (ASRC 2012, para