Another important stakeholder in this issue is the children themselves. Almost all of the children present in detention centres are asylum seekers whom arrived in Australia by boat, and are classified as ‘unauthorised maritime arrivals’ (Humanrights.gov.au, 2015). These asylum seeker children all held the same responses to some degree. Their responses were all surrounded by the main aspect of ‘Wanting to be free and safe’. “My father and brother were killed. I saw death on the way here. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to be” (Humanrights.gov.au, 2015) . Some of the statistics concluded that 41% of children fled their country of origin because of constant threats, danger, terrorism and fear for life, 33% fled from persecution by the
The Australian Human Rights Commission headed an inquiry into the children living conditions in detention centres and through this inquiry accumulated evidence of human rights breaches, breached by to Australian Government in relation to children. One such area they documented was concerning the provision of clothing and footwear provided to children. After conducting this inquiry they found that the delivery of essential goods was inadequate for many children in detention centres. A 13 year-old girl living on Nauru explained her struggles living with little clothing,
In society, there always has, and will continue to be groups who are demonised by civilians and authority alike. Erich Goode and Nachman Ben-Yehuda define moral panics as a “scare about a threat, or supposed threat from deviants or ‘folk devils’” who are thought to be guilty of “menacing a society’s culture, way of life, or central values” (1994, p.2). In other words, the concept denotes that by hyperbolising societal concerns, terror is generated and a caricature is created of both the situation and the accused involved. Moral panics are intended to be applicable to multiple topical debates, ranging from Bikie Gangs to online predators. The case study of Middle Eastern, African and Southeast Asian refugees is an ongoing discourse that demonstrates
(2014). Our Refugee Crisis, Nation, pp. 4-6. The authors purpose. Was to bring the readers up to speed on the problem of unaccompanied immigrant children coming across the border seeking asylum and how complex the issue is.
The religious and societal point of views differ quite a lot, which is why this contemporary issue is causing a lot of controversy. The religious approach is that Australia should give aid to asylum seekers and show hospitality as well as compassion. Whereas, most of Australians disregard asylum seekers and think that the government should stop giving them aid. Religious communities take on the gospel teachings and implement them into their views and how they practice it in society. While, societal views are based on selfish beliefs and the uncertainty that society has on asylum seekers. Societal views portray how asylum seekers are gaining more benefits than the general public, which is not true. Though, religious parishes put aside the asylum
Asylum seekers are defined as someone who has fled their own country and seek international protection. They pursue safety and cannot return unless the situation that forced them to leave improves. Each Asylum seeker has different experiences and reasons for moving to another country. Many asylum seekers flee their own country because there is war, tortured for own religious or political beliefs or because their human rights are not being respected. The term ‘boat people’ is a racist remark and has become intertwined into society since the 1970’s with the first arrival of boats carrying people seeking asylum from the aftermath of the Vietnam War. The first onset of asylum seekers arrived in April of 1976 in Darwin which was the first of
Australian detention centres have been known to violate the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s (UNHRC) human rights obligations, which has resulted in detrimental repercussions for the refugees and asylum seekers accommodated there. With respect to the UNHRC human rights obligations, individuals that are detained must be respected of their humanity and dignity (Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), 2013, pp.7). In December 2012, however, the UNHRC had uncovered overly strict and unsatisfactory living circumstances, for instance overcrowding, which had been known to promote depression and alternate mental illnesses among asylum seekers and refugees (AHRC, 2013, pp.17). Similarly, Burnside (2014) stated that refugees were refused to
I was a volunteer at the Emergency Relief Department at Lentara Uniting Care, I had a variety of roles and I frequently interacted with co-workers and clients that were from very different cultures, religions and social statuses.
While the issue of asylum seekers has mainly challenged Australia’s political power and resources, the debate is mostly ethical and putting human dignity first is integral. Whilst both political parties have very similar policies in regards to the topical issues, which are in essence going partially against the Church’s stance and human dignity. Australia has the economy, land, low population and living style to support more asylum seekers/refugees, especially when we have a ranking of 48 in the world on the scale of how many refugees we currently have accepted.
The Coalition Government 2013 policy Operation Sovereign Borders reported that sending asylum seekers back via military vessels patrolling Australian waters has restored the integrity of its borders and prevented deaths at sea. Conversely, this is neither humanitarian nor helping solve the problem to protect offshore asylum seekers already detained. This does not protect and promote individual rights of those seeking asylum under the human rights convention. In addition to the indefinite detention has had a major impact on the physical and mental health of asylum seekers. This has been evident in protests from detainees that have resulted in deaths on Manus Island, in which security and police were present. Is reported is widespread and systematic abuse, the cramped conditions of their accommodation, and the lack of facilities causing illness and poor hygiene. Along with the lack of medical treatment available all these conditions are well below international standards. If the Australian government refuses to bring refugees to Australia then it must ensure that conditions of the detention are humane. Australia has entered into an arrangement whereas by other states are used for resettlement, it is however still responsible for ensuring human rights obligations and adhered to under these paramagnets. The conditions of detention state that refugees are not to be held for lengthy stays in solitary detention, and that they have access to key services such as health care, education and mental health services. The Australian government’s offshore operations are extremely guarded and service providers working for the Australian government face criminal charges and civil penalties if they disclose any information about the conditions of the asylum seekers and refuges. The border forces act 2015 heightened security after the event that happened on the
The treatment of children in immigration detention is currently a major topic of public interest in Australia. It has been law in Australia since 1992 that anyone who is not a citizen and is without a legal visa will be detained when attempting to enter the country. This includes children (Humanrights.gov.au, 2015). These children are to stay in detention until they are either granted entrance to the country with a visa or removed from Australia. There is no limit on how long they can stay in detention (Humanrights.gov.au, 2015). Currently Australia is the only country that as a first resort uses compulsory and indefinite detention for child asylum seekers (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2014, p.10). The conditions in these detention
Another technique used in the documentary to challenge the viewers’ assumptions was the use of narration to present facts about the refugee situation. These facts and figures give the viewers a truthful and realistic picture of the situation. Some beliefs that exist in Australian society are that we are taking in too many refugees; they are criminals, they are taking over Australia, using Australian tax payers’ money and changing our culture. However, we are presented with facts and figures that change our assumptions. For example, more than 30 million people have fled their homes with nothing but the clothes they wear, boat smugglers charge up to and over $10, 000 US dollars, 13, 000 refugees are accepted annually only 2,000 of those refugees arrive by boat. Despite what many people think, like Raye who believed refugees in Australia are “handed everything on a gold platter,” life in detention centres is hard. In Villawood Detention Centre, over 9 months, three detainees committed suicide and 18 caused self-harm.
The aim of this essay is to discuss the issue of children in immigration detention centres both on mainland Australia and in our off location centres (Christmas Island and Nauru). In March 2014 there were a total of 1,068 children in detention centres. I will be addressing the key areas in which having these children in detention is not only affecting them as individuals but also how this is affecting the common good a whole and hopefully work towards a solution so that we can all work towards the common good.
Before 2014, there were no education systems in Australia for Refugee children. The department of immigration and border protection and the Western Australian Catholic Education Office expressed concerns about the onsite schooling environment, now asylum seeker children held in mainland detention centers are able to attend local schools if they are enrolled. This is a massive step forward in the education rights and the futures of refugees.
Asylum isn't just a mod for Arma 3 anymore. Asylum, over the years, has become a community of some serious significance, and without the members of the community we wouldn't be able to endure like we did.
- Asylum seekers – including children – have been detained in immigration detention centres indefinitely and for prolonged periods of time