News
Australian refugee response ‘not good enough’
20th Aug 2021
Australia must accept more than just 3,000 Afghans seeking protection from the Taliban, and all Afghans already in Australia need a guarantee that they will never be forced to return to Afghanistan, says the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).
With millions of people attempting to flee from Afghanistan now that the Taliban is back in control, Australia must do more,” said Mr Graham Droppert SC, National President, ALA. “It is not good enough to merely allocate some of the country’s existing humanitarian visa places to the people of Afghanistan in this extraordinary time of crisis.
“Australia has the capacity, and an obligation, to do so much more.
“All Afghan refugees, including those who have previously had their protection claims rejected, must now be granted permanent approval to stay in Australia. To provide this certainty in a time of crisis is an appropriate and humane response.”
National ALA spokesperson, Mr Greg Barns SC, said that there is an urgent need for Australia to unwind our unfair laws and processes which are designed to make it as difficult as possible for asylum seekers to receive our protection.
“Asylum seekers often have to battle complex legal and bureaucratic processes to justify their need for protection, and this has to change,” said Mr Barns SC.
“This is an opportunity to show compassion and welcome people seeking asylum in our country.”
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