Senator Eric Abetz has defended the government’s approach to asylum seekers. Photo: Andrew Meares
THE Australian government has confirmed 41 asylum-seekers have been returned to Sri Lankan authorities during a transfer at sea.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said the 41 Sri Lankans were handed over by Australian border protection authorities in an operation on Sunday.
The transfer occurred in mild sea conditions just outside the Port of Batticaloa, off the coast of Sri Lanka.
“All persons intercepted and returned were subjected to an enhanced screening process, as also practised by the previous government, to ensure compliance by Australia with our international obligations under relevant conventions,” Mr Morrison said in a statement today.
The transfer comes after days of speculation regarding the fate of 203 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, with two ships believed to have been intercepted by Australian authorities.
The government has refused to comment on the asylum seekers, citing operational reasons.
The government’s refusal to confirm the two boats had been handed back to Sri Lanka angered human rights groups, who say Tamils could face torture, rape and long-term detention if they are returned.
Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was also scathing of the government, saying handing asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka at sea was redolent of handing Jews over to the Nazis in the 1930s. Mr Morrison said of those transferred on Sunday, 37 were Sinhalese and only four were Tamil.
They were intercepted by Australian authorities in late June west of the Cocos Islands.
source: theaustralian.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 