A former African refugee has slammed the planned return of almost 270 asylum seekers to the Nauru detention centre as a “heartless and cruel” act by the government.
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Isata Swaray, who settled in Wagga in 2005 after spending almost a year in a detention centre in Ghana, said she was appalled at the high court’s decision to allow 267 asylum seekers, including more than 30 babies, to be returned to Nauru.
“No refugee camp is easy, especially for the likes of babies and children,” she said.
"Being in there was the toughest thing I've ever done. There aren't even words to describe the trauma in these places and it sickens me to think the Australian government will be sending people back there."
The High Court’s decision to legalise the return of the asylum seekers last Wednesday has been met with widespread dissent, with protests and rallies occurring all across the country last week.
Support for the asylum seekers has also come from the Anglican and Uniting churches in Sydney and Brisbane, who have openly offered sanctuary to the displaced people.
St Vincent’s Health Australia and Calvary Health Care, two of Australia’s largest Catholic healthcare organisations, shortly followed suit, with the announcement they will provide free medical support.
Riverina MP Michael McCormack said while he appreciated the good intentions of the healthcare organisations, the government still had a duty to protect the country’s boarders.
“Protecting our boarders is the first rule of government,” he said.
“Their actions are well meaning and well intentioned, but at the end of the day no one likes to see children, mothers and families perishing in leaky boats at sea.”
“These boarder protection policies are saving people lives, because they’re saving these people from making the death-defying trip on boats to Australia.
“We're doing what we can in the most humanitarian way, some might not call it that, but that's how we see it."
Following the high court decision, Australian Human Rights Commissioner Professor Gillian Triggs released a report based on doctor’s findings, revealing the children who spent time on Nauru were the most traumatised they had seen in 50 years.
It is unclear when the asylum seekers will be transferred back to Nauru, though it could be within days.