NCJ Number
205048
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: 2003 Pages: 157-175
Editor(s)
David Miers,
Leslie Sebba
Date Published
2003
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews Australian policies over the last two centuries in controlling immigration to exclude those viewed as undesirables and the victimization of refugees and asylum seekers with tighter restrictions in achieving permanent settlement.
Abstract
As the number of refugees escalates, countries of asylum are becoming increasingly nervous and hostile. In addition, refugees often become victims of multiple persecution; in their own country, the country to which they fled, and even the country of final asylum. For two centuries, Australia has had state planned and controlled immigration. Since 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia has exercised constitutional power over immigration and aliens. In recent years, visa controls in Australia were tightened even against the previously welcomed British. Under the 1951 United Nations Convention, Australia accepted refugees for permanent settlement. Even though Australians are of recent immigrant origin themselves, they are seen as ambivalent towards further immigration. Australia’s state controlled immigration system was designed to create a new society and economy by permanent settlement from the United Kingdom. Immigrants who did not fit this objective were excluded if non-European or tolerated if European. Since the 1990's, it has become increasingly difficult to achieve settlement as an asylum seeker in Australia. Refugees to Australia have often become victims in the sense of being disadvantaged and discriminated. This victimization may have begun as unintentional. However, for the small numbers of those seeking asylum outside the universal visa system, planned victimization occurred with detention in prison-like camps, limitations on the right to permanent residence, and policies designed to expedite homeland return. Suggestions for an alternative approach have been based on the principle that adherence to the U.N. Convention and Protocol obliges Australia to treat asylum seekers with humanity. References