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| Down Under |
| Refugees torch Australian detention centre |
| 2005-11-13 |
| Four detainees were being questioned over fires that Saturday gutted parts of the Baxter immigration detention centre in South Australia. Authorities said the fires, which broke out at 4:00am, were most likely deliberately lit and those found responsible would face charges. 'All Australians face frustration in their daily life,' Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said. 'Australians understand sometimes their aspirations don't come to fruition, but we don't expect people to turn to property damage as a way of handling that frustration.' One man was taken to hospital, five were treated for smoke inhalation and 58 detainees were evacuated from the Port Agusta facility. There are 250 detainees at Baxter, mostly Middle Eastern asylum seekers whose applications for refugee status have been rejected. Under Australia's controversial policy of mandatory detention, all those who arrive without a visa and claim asylum are locked up until their applications are processed. Vanstone said detainees found to have lit fires could have their visas cancelled or refused. 'If someone with a visa or without a visa in Australia engages in criminal conduct that will be taken into account in terms of cancelling a visa or removing them,' she said. |
| Posted by:lotp |