After seven years held in offshore detention, thirteen refugees – nine from PNG, four from Nauru – have left their respective prison islands this morning (Thursday 31 July) to be resettled, 12 in the US, and one from PNG to Finland.
The thirteen refugees are from a range of countries including Sri Lanka, Iran, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and are destined for a number of different states and cities in the US including Philadelphia and Houston.
“It is appalling that it is only after seven years being held in hell-holes on Nauru and Manus Island, that the Australian government is resettling refugees who arrived in Australia in 2013,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “It is also shocking that rather than bring the refugees to safety in Australia, the government is sending refugees to a country where COVID-19 infection is out of control.”
“The government is also ignoring the possibilities of resettlement in New Zealand’s where the COVID-19 risk is essentially zero. The around 180 refugees and asylum seekers remaining in PNG could be resettled overnight if the Morrison government put the welfare of refugees ahead of its anti-refugees policies.”
“The government’s contempt for the rights of refugees is also keeping around 200 refugees brought to Australia for medical treatment in high-risk closed detention centres and hotels in Australia.
“The government is even pushing refugees who have been living in Australia for years to accept resettlement and the high risk of COVID infection in the US rather than provide safety and permanent visas in Australia.”
“The COVID situation in the US is one of the worst in the world and the US economy is deteriorating day by day. The Trump administration’s cut to refugee resettlement services is leaving vulnerable refugees with little support.”
Meanwhile around 180 refugees and asylum seekers trapped in Port Moresby are in lockdown as rates of COVID-19 infection rise in the city.
“The government is still denying refugees in Australia, PNG and Nauru, the protection they asked for seven years ago,” said Ian Rintoul.
For more information contact, Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
