157 asylum seekers to be transferred to Australian mainland

25 July 2014 04:36 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Australian government’s stretch of six months without an asylum seeker boat passenger arriving in Australia is set to end, as 157 Tamils who have spent four weeks in limbo aboard the Customs Ocean Protector will be brought to the Australian mainland on Saturday.

Fairfax Media understands a SkyTraders Airbus 8320 has been booked to travel from Cocos Island to Curtin detention centre in north Western Australia on Saturday.

A source said immigration officials had also tried to book accommodation on Cocos Islands on Saturday to facilitate the transfer and flight for the asylum seekers.

According to the Guardian Australia, the customs boat is currently on its way to Cocos Island. The 157 asylum seekers were intercepted by Australian officials on June 28.

If the passengers are bought to the Australian mainland, lawyers say it casts doubt over whether core elements the High Court challenge can proceed before the court.

The case was to be the first comprehensive test of whether the government has the power to intercept boats on the high seas.

The case, which was due to continue on August 5, would have also tested whether the Australian government had the right to hold asylum seekers against their will and take them where it chooses.

"The situation remains very unclear, but if people were bought to the mainland, this would clearly involve the government conceding on key aspects of the High Court challenge," human rights lawyer David Manne said.

"This includes whether or not the government has the power to intercept and then send people to a place where they may be at risk of being persecuted."

The Curtin Detention centre is widely been considered to be one of the harshest detention centres on the Australian mainland due to its remote location.

"It’s a very remote centre, it’s very difficult for people outside the department to visit," said Caroline Fleay, senior lecturer at the Centre for Human Rights Education at Curtin University.

Dr. Fleay said it would also be extremely difficult for the asylum seekers to gain medical or legal help once they are in the centre.

Curtin has been earmarked by the government for closure next year. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

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Comments - 9

The Logic Friday, 25 July 2014 05:07 AM

Well done UN. You are great and saved a lot of people from death and torture. I humbly bow my head Madam Pillay.

nicky karunarathnana Friday, 25 July 2014 06:05 AM

Flood gates will be open and racism will be poured with 65 million Tamils in Tamil Nadu. If anyone ask the question why Tamils can't live with Tamils and they prefer - Australia, Canada, UK, Europe and US and Elam in SL - why? Why? and Why?

Truth Friday, 25 July 2014 06:19 AM

Hope these so called 'asylum seekers' will not create problems.

Suny J fm Melbourne Friday, 25 July 2014 07:00 AM

You wait and see...Tony Abbot is a sensible person and a tough nut to crack......

Jude Fernando Friday, 25 July 2014 08:12 AM

The Logic, This is for you !@#$%^&*. Hope you got it.

Esala Friday, 25 July 2014 01:02 PM

Why Tamils doesn't like India (Tamil Nadu) their mother land.???????

sam Friday, 25 July 2014 01:04 PM

what a joke ,these economic asylum seekers dont want to live with their brothers in TN is too smelly ?

Raman Saturday, 26 July 2014 04:53 PM

Later they may ask sperate state in Australia. ..well done boyes... Pay here move to Australia. .Canada or US. But its a shame for Tamilnadu.. via DM Android App

Sheri Saturday, 26 July 2014 05:28 PM

[quote name="The Logic"]Well done UN. You are great and saved a lot of people from death and torture. I humbly bow my head Madam Pillay.[/quote]

Death and torture - is a human traffickers statement.
How is it that tamils are living and working in Colombo and elsewhere in the country with no problem?

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157 asylum seekers to be transferred to Australian mainland

Comments - 9

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