Refugees and Asylum Seekers as Victims: The Australian Case

Abstract

Australia has had two centuries of state planned and controlled immigration, with official policies excluding those felt undesirable for racial, social or economic reasons, Visa controls have been tightened in recent years even against the previously welcomed British. Australia has also accepted refugees for permanent settlement under the 1951 UN Convention. Since the 1990s this approach has been steadily modified, making it increasingly difficult to achieve settlement as an asylum seeker. Detention in prison-like camps, limitation of the right to permanent residence, and policies designed to expedite homeland return have all led to victimisation of the relatively small numbers seeking asylum outside the universal visa system. This has been accompanied by forcible removal to locations outside Australian territory and attempts to limit rights of appeal. Official demonisation of asylum seekers has damaged public acceptance of refugees, while draconian policies towards them have undermined Australia’s previous reputation as a safe haven.