I find this story bizarre. But when you you read the article and find that most of the information comes from the "refugee lobby" you know you are in the Land Of Delusions.
MORE than 30 Australians have sought asylum in the US.
More than 30 Australians were prepared to travel for their liberty between 1997-2002, according to Department of Justice figures. At least two Australians have been granted asylum in America after complaining they faced religious, racial or political persecution in Australia. Four other Australians await the outcome of US asylum applications. Privacy reasons prevent authorities detailing specific arguments used by Australians for asylum, but it is known Aborigines have made official complaints to US diplomatic staff claiming racial persecution in Australia and allegations of genocide. Human rights lawyer Julian Burnside, QC, said the Australian applications came as a shock, but Aboriginal claims of persecution could well be entertained by US immigration courts considering asylum. "I can understand how some Aborigines might complain of a fear of persecution," he said.
Between 1997 and 2002, 31 Australian nationals applied for asylum, US Department of Justice figures show. And UK Home Office documents also show Australians have sought asylum, but the Asian region statistics are not broken down to show precisely how many Australians have applied for refuge. While several Australians apply for asylum in the US every year, it is extremely rare for them to succeed. Two Australians were granted asylum in 1999 and 1997. Mr Burnside said Aboriginal issues including land rights and the so-called Stolen Generation might be considered as background in support of a persecution case. "If you see that, the history, it helps explain more recent treatment," Mr Burnside said. "What they have to show is that they genuinely fear persecution." The persecution did not have to be actual, but had to be shown to be genuinely perceived. "These cases come as a bit of a shock to us, because we are inclined to believe we are a very tolerant society," he said.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission said it was unaware of indigenous claims for asylum. High-profile refugee lawyer Eric Vadarlis was also surprised Australians had sought asylum overseas, and said he was "gob-smacked" at least two were successful in the US. "I am extremely surprised. Whatever we say about this country, there is a lot of tolerance generally," Mr Vadarlis said. Most applicants make their claim for asylum once they reach the US or after they have been in the country some time. Under the US system, applicants must persuade immigration officials they are unable to return to Australia "because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion". Australian Civil Liberties Union president John Bennett said real or perceived persecution by police may also lead to asylum applications. "Although Australia is a reasonably fair society, I could see why some people don’t feel treated fairly."
Falun Gong spokesman Katerina Vereshaka said she was not aware of Australian asylum seekers from her group, but she said some members had been harassed by Chinese officials in Australia. The Foreign Affairs and Immigration departments and the Attorney-General’s office said they had no knowledge of the asylum cases. |