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| Down Under | |
| West Papua assylum seekers reach Australia & claim Indo's genociding them | |
| 2006-01-18 | |
The Immigration Department says it cannot confirm if the group has sought asylum. The Federal Government says the group are being held in immigration detention. Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone says arrangements are being made to move and process them. "If they are going to make an asylum claim, we'll hear the asylum claim," she said. Torres Strait Island journalist Damian Baker took photographs of the arrival and he says the asylum seekers' message was clear. He says there was a banner calling for the West Papuans to be freed from genocide at the hands of the Indonesian Government. "The banner said 'Save West Papua people soul from genocide, intimidation and terrorists from military government of Indonesian - also, we West Papua need freedom, peace love and justice in our homeland.' Mr Baker says the group appeared to be in good health. "They seemed pretty healthy and in good nick," he said. Pamela Curr from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre says there is no doubt that the West Papuans are seeking asylum. "These are the children of community leaders who have either been persecuted imprisoned or disappeared," she said. She is concerned they will be moved to Christmas or Manus island detention centres for processing. "We're asking that that not happen," she said. Ms Curr says the group can be assessed in Australia where they can take advantage of community and church groups' assistance. | |
| Posted by:Oztralian |
| #1 Rowing a 75 footer that distance on the open sea is hard and dangerous work. If the Auzzies have no room for them, fly em to the States. We can use a few more people with that level of determination and motivation. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-01-18 21:25 |