Tamils no more refugees

6 July 2010 01:58 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The United Nations refugee agency says Tamils from Sri Lanka should no longer automatically be granted refugee status due to the "greatly improved situation" in their homeland.

But the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says the situation is still evolving and all claims by Sri Lankan asylum seekers should be considered "on the basis of their individual merits".

The Australian government suspended the processing of Sri Lankan asylum claims in April. It argued the move was justified by improving circumstances in the country. Canberra's processing freeze is due to expire on Thursday.

The UNHCR's latest eligibility guidelines for Sri Lanka, released overnight, state Tamils "are no longer in need of international protection under broader refugee criteria or complementary forms of protection solely on the basis of risk of indiscriminate harm".

"In light of the improved human rights and security situation in Sri Lanka, there is no longer a need for group-based protection mechanisms or for a presumption of eligibility for Sri Lankans of Tamil ethnicity originating from the north of the country," the guidelines state.

But the UNHCR notes that following the end of the armed conflict the situation in Sri Lanka "is still evolving". Certain people are still at risk of persecution.

People with links to the Tamil Tigers, some journalists, homosexuals and certain women and children still face real danger.

"Despite the end of hostilities, there are still reportedly incidents of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls in former conflict areas," the UNHCR states.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is expected to release a tougher policy on asylum seekers as early as Tuesday. Cabinet will also determine whether to resume processing Sri Lankan claims for refugee status. (AAP)

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Comments - 26

ind Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:03 AM

Great news !! Now SL has become a good living place for everybody. Good for Tourism as well.

lionel Tuesday, 06 July 2010 07:22 AM

Visa Tamils will provoke another July 83 to protect the refugee status.

LJayalath Tuesday, 06 July 2010 06:45 AM

It is time that Australia takes a firm stand on bogus refugees from Sri Lanka. These people took Western countries for a ride and destroed the Sri Lankan name with lies and deception, and majority of them were successful for the past 27 years. Now they have to pack their bags (if they have one) and say goodbye.

KD Tuesday, 06 July 2010 06:39 AM

They don't have to beg. These bogus asylum seekers paid more than USD 10,000/= per person to get on the boats. That's lot of money if there are four in a family.

prasan Tuesday, 06 July 2010 06:37 AM

Fine, let us change the route..let us say Tamils in Tamil Nadu be treated as refugees then..what is needed is some cause for these organised Global Dravidian circle.

Fishy Tuesday, 06 July 2010 06:12 AM

Without demining how the Govt troops managed to go into the LTTE stronghold and arrest the LTTE leader.
Is it a war secret?

Darrenperera Tuesday, 06 July 2010 06:04 AM

This is why Tamils in Europe did not want to see an end to the war . Solla welai Illai.Lol

ind Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:53 AM

Government has to take nessesary steps like demining and infrastruction to take place. Before that, It's not safe and is no use going there. takes time to finish all the areas. You may be from a part where demining is still taking place.

ind Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:49 AM

I think, even in the time of war, Tamils and Sinhalese lived peacefully in other parts of SL. Only terrorists and Tamil Diaspora try to create a problem within ethnic groups.

Fishy Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:25 AM

First there are so many Sinhalese asking for Refugee status.
Second one of the present and previsous govt Minister's wife asked for Refugee status in UK and is living there.
Third There are as many as 50000 thousand tamils living in Refugee camps under govt control.
Fourth half the tamil population there are living with govt aid.

jolene Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:24 AM

Ryan,we lost everything and now even we cant go back and see our houses. War is over...what do you mean by every corner of the country?

jolene Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:21 AM

dave,if it is for ALL Sri Lankans then I am with you. But the last one year does not show any signs of it!

Sam Kolla Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:10 AM

YIKES!! Whats going to happen to all the bogus Tamil asylum seekers in the future ??? Every Tamil in Western country has sold the name "Sri Lanka" and claimed asylum. I was in England for a short period during Ranil's CFA with LTTE and the Tamils I met were angry at Ranil because he said that there is no more war and the UK government temporarily halted asylum application processing...that was 2003 / 2004. why did this war stop ?? Our Tamil brothers and sisters got an easy ticket to the West and now its all going to stop ?? Noooo Waaaay......

Aan Balan Tuesday, 06 July 2010 03:48 AM

So the sri lankan refugees were not real refugees, but assumed to be.

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:02 AM

Everbody in Sri Lanka knows it was the JVP who proposed Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar to be the Prime Minister and it was the other racial elements in the SLFP itself who opposed that move. History needs to be recorded properly.

KD Tuesday, 06 July 2010 05:01 AM

A sad day for bogus asylum mafia.

Ryan Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:59 AM

Good move. Why do they have to come to Australia passing so many countries and seek Refuge here. Are they political refugees or economic refugees?

Do not sell your country people. I admit there was grave concern during the days of war. But no more. Tamils and Singhalese can live happily in every corner of the country now.

lankaman Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:57 AM

they are not real refugees. accept a very few. others are just looking for greener pastures abroad selling Sri Lanka's name.

MaPer Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:52 AM

First & foremost - no country should ever have granted TAMILS refugee status as the Tamils could have lived peacefully in Sri Lanka if they had no involvment with terrorism & the LTTE. A perfect Tamil who reached the highest rung in society, in the government and worldwide was the late Lakshman Kadirgamar. When last president Chandrika wanted to make him PM, it was the radical Sinhala like the JVP only, that objectived. Otherwise, as a Tamil, Late Lakshman Kadirgamar would have been Prime Minister - and everyone would have accepted him.

anura Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:49 AM

Yes Dave. you are correct.Our very local boy Mahinda Rajapakksa will definitely make Sri Lanka a wonder of Asia within one year.

citizen1 Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:45 AM

So now what?! Are they going to stay with the rest of us and beg??? Sri Lanka since of late had not needed any help in tarnishing its own reputation.

dave Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:23 AM

This what we wanted, Now they can't go anywhere selling our country to lead tamil diaspora. Sri Lanka will definitely be a wonder of Asia within 2 years during Rajapaksha's tenure. We have strong trust that he will make Sri Lanka best for all Sri Lankans.

logical silva Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:09 AM

tough days ahead for people who sell sri lanka for greener pastures abroad!

Jilmart-Some Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:03 AM

Tamils were never the refugees - They always had this reason to fine a afe heaven - Its was Sri Lankan who refuged cos these goons for almost three decades

tha Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:02 AM

Great news about sri lanka.....................

Bud in Oz Tuesday, 06 July 2010 04:01 AM

At last they have opened their eyes! I think due to the Australian government pressure.

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Tamils no more refugees

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