No Aussie welcome for Sri Lankan refugees from Tamil Nadu
The Australian Government on Friday (21) made it clear that Sri
Lankan refugees from Tamil Nadu are no longer welcome in its country as
they are not from refugee camps approved by United Nations Human Rights
Commission (UNHRC).
Nearly 1,200 Lankan refugees tried to travel in boats from Indian
subcontinent to Australia between the years 2009 and 2013, and died
before reaching their destination. Sean Kelly, Australian Consul-General
to South India pointed out that Australia is not in position to take
such refugees reaching their country without UNHRC approval.
"Australia will only resettle those refugees who are registered by
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees" he said, pointing out
that his country will continue to remain a refugee- friendly state.
"There is no way that people who attempt to travel to Australia by
boat will be allowed to settle in Australia. Anyone who does survive the
journey will be intercepted and transferred to regional processing
centres in Nauru and Manus Island in Papua New Guinea," Kelly added.
Lankan refugees who reached Australia illegally are now in such camps.
He also said that Tamil Nadu Ggovernment was doing its best to inform
Lankan refugees settled in the state that journey by sea to Australia
was almost impossible to finish.
Reacting to the news of the arrest of six Lankans in Tiruchy early
last week by conspiring to sail to New Zealand, the Australian official
noted that he does not think that the six were luring people to New
Zealand, but to Australia only.
"Don't fall into the trap of such human traffickers. It is just not
possible to travel such a long distance using ordinary boats without
food and fuel," he added. - Deccan Herald |