You're tired. You're young. You're old. You've just lost your mother, your sister, your father, your own child. You are alone. You have a family to protect. You've lost your home. You have to leave your home. They took your home. They beat you. They took your life. Your job. Your community. Your friends are gone. Your friends are now your enemies. You're scared.
Who are you?
You are the subject of new reforms, congratulations. You're a refugee, .. if you can prove it.
As of the 9th of April (2010) the Australian government has decided to suspend the processing of Afghanistan and Sri Lankan asylum claims, why? Because they are not seen as legitimate refugee's.
The recent reforms within both countries political states has given the Rudd government the idea that they can suspend all claims for asylum altogether. It seems a bit strange then that the US government is sending thousands of additional troops into southern Afghanistan in case of the failure of the Karzai regime. In which case the war will break out again.
Still, without any major political tension breaking out just yet, it is still dangerous to voice an opposing opinion is such areas with several journalists feeing the country in the past few weeks in fear of their lives, one of these who was severely beaten, to the degree that he is permanently disabled.
Taking just this into consideration i think its safe to say that to flee under these conditions alone would be reason enough to claim for asylum.
But at least this time the government is warning asylum seekers that they're unwanted, better than sinking them and accusing the parents on board of throwing their children into the water. Right?
Chloe you've delved into a really important and big issue that's got me really antsy with what the government is claiming from people. I am with you!
ReplyDeleteJade x