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30th August 2001
A STATEMENT FROM THE BISHOPS' COMMITTEE FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES ON THE PLIGHT OF
ASYLUM SEEKERS ON THE TAMPA
Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Committee for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Patrick
Dougherty, today expressed great distress that the Norwegian ship Tampa has been refused
entry to Australia.
At the same time, Bishop Dougherty was relieved to know that Australia was ready to
provide considerable humanitarian aid to the stranded ship. "Among the people who
have been rescued by the Tampa's captain, in generous accordance with international rules
and, it appears, at the request of the Australian coastguard, many almost certainly are
fleeing persecution in their countries, and have valid claims on Australia's
protection", Bishop Dougherty said. He sympathises with the difficulties faced by the
Australian Government, but asks it to reconsider whether the lives of people, particularly
those fleeing persecution, should be put at risk in order to send a message of deterrence
to future asylum seekers.
"I note that many Australians who have expressed their views are in favour of the
decision to refuse entry to the Tampa", Bishop Dougherty said. "But would they
feel the same if they accepted that many of those on board were almost certainly fleeing
persecution and seeking Australia's protection? Truth, justice and compassion do not
permit an unproven presumption that those on board the Tampa are people who are simply
seeking an easy entry to Australia".
Bishop Dougherty continued: "Last year, the Year of the Great Jubilee, a charter
of rights of displaced people was prepared in Rome. The first of those rights is 'that
displaced people not be turned back at the borders of the country where they seek
protection'. Until Monday last, that right had been observed by Australia. Now there is
grave danger that it will be overturned."
"In his message for Refugee and Migrant Sunday 2001, Pope John Paul states that
highly developed countries (like Australia) are not always able to accept all those who
emigrate. Nonetheless, he says, 'it should be pointed out that the criterion for
determining the level that can be sustained cannot be based solely on protecting their own
prosperity, while failing to take into consideration the needs of persons who are
tragically forced to ask for hospitality'", said Bishop Dougherty. "In the light
of the Holy Father's words, the Australian Catholic Bishops in May 2001 proposed that
Australia could receive a more generous number of refugees each year. If we had that
spirit of increased generosity, we may not be facing the present situation."
To arrange an interview please contact Father John Murphy on 02) 6201 9848 or 0418) 224
524
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