Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Lankan refugee in Aus. to challenge

24 May 2012 02:41 am - 2     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A Sri Lankan refugee is making a High Court bid to challenge the indefinite detention of 51 refugees ASIO deems national security risks.
Melbourne human rights lawyer David Manne is leading the challenge.

Mr Manne says the case will test whether the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is obliged to tell the refugees why they are considered security threats and whether their cases should be independently reviewed.

He says it will also test whether it is lawful to lock refugees up indefinitely.

"The law requires a fair process, which means knowing the case against you," he told ABC Television.

"A refugee is locked up indefinitely on the basis of a negative security assessment made under a secret process."

Mr Manne said it was like being sentenced to "life imprisonment without being charged, tried and convicted".

The court documents name five defendants - ASIO's director-general, Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation boss, Department of Immigration secretary, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and the Commonwealth of Australia.

A spokesman for the minister declined to comment because the matter was heading to court.

Liberal frontbencher George Brandis said the applicants will have a "big hurdle" to clear.

"ASIO threat assessments are neither a judicial or quasi-judicial process," he told the ABC.

He said the opposition did not support weakening the powers of ASIO in making threat assessments.

Mr Manne's legal team successfully challenged the Gillard government's asylum-seeker swap deal with Malaysia, which led to the policy being scuttled and offshore processing of asylum seekers being cast in legal doubt.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 2

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • jacoob Thursday, 24 May 2012 05:56 AM

    Now this topic is open up for the “ patriotic elite “ of sri Lankan !!

    Nodrog Thursday, 24 May 2012 06:19 AM

    Serves the Aussies right


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H