Media Releases
Changes to Immigration Detention - an important
first step
The Australian Catholic Migrant and
Refugee Office (ACMRO) and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council
(ACSJC) today welcomed moves by both of the major political parties towards
a more humane treatment of asylum seekers.
Last Friday, 29th November,
before these moves were announced, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
had pressed for alleviation of the conditions of asylum seekers in detention
and for the release of children from detention, preferably with their parents,
or at the very least, with their mothers.
Bishop Patrick Dougherty, Chairman
of the Bishops' Committee for Migrants and Refugees, said today: "The
announcement of Labor's new policy on refugees and asylum seekers and changes
announced by Minister Ruddock to the Government's detention policy represent
an important first step to addressing the inhumane conditions of immigration
detention. These policy proposals show that the community is now ready
to move beyond its current approach to processing arrivals to Australia".
Bishop William Morris, ACSJC Chairperson
said, "In August this year, the ACSJC with the Australian and NSW Conferences
of Leaders of Religious Institutes launched The Humanitarian Program for
People Seeking Protection in Australia. Some
of its proposals included the creation of a Commissioner for Refugees, independent
of government, and faster immigration clearance for asylum seekers. It
is pleasing to note that the Labor policy has variations of these ideas. In
particular, the limit of detention to 90 days is welcomed, as is the intention
to end the indefinite continuity of temporary protection visas.
"It is disappointing to note that the
Labor policy proposes continuing the processing of boat people offshore,
at the new high-security centre on Christmas Island, and does not provide
access to the legal system" he said.
Bishop Dougherty said "The changes
to the Government's detention policy are positive for women and children
and unaccompanied minors. However, the ACMRO
and ACSJC would be concerned about preserving family unity. Living
conditions in supervised hostels also need to be closely monitored".
The Bishops concluded, "We see both
Labor's new policy and the proposed changes to the Government's policy as
providing opportunity for improvement to the current practices, while acknowledging
the need for further discussion and improvement."
The Australian Catholic Bishops, in
their March 2002 Statement on Refugees and Asylum Seekers, expressed concern
about preservation of family unity. ACSJC and ACMRO express the same concern.
For further information:
Bishop Patrick Dougherty, Chairman,
Bishops Committee for Migrants and Refugees Tel:
02 6331 3611
Bishop William Morris, Chairman, ACSJC: Tel:
07 4632 4277
Fr John Murphy, Director, ACMRO: Tel: 02 6201
9848
John Ferguson, National Executive Officer,
ACSJC Tel: 02 9956 5811
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