By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
CANBERRA, Australia – Last week a fight between approximately 150 Sri Lankan Tamils and Afghan asylum-seekers broke out at Australia’s immigration detention facility on Christmas Island.
The two groups attacked each other with tree branches, pool cues and broom handles. The fighting ended with injuries for some thirty-seven asylum seekers who required medical treatment. Three individuals were flown to Perth to receive treatment for broken bones.
Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans believes that the violence may be a result of frustrations amongst the Sri Lankan asylum over being held in custody.
“There hasn’t been too many problems but there has been some increased tension I think around the Sri Lankans, in particular being a bit concerned as we have had some people removed back to Sri Lanka – found not to be refugees, and obviously the spotlight on the groups that were intercepted in Indonesia,” Evans said.
Advocates for refugees claim that the facility’s overcrowded and cramped conditions created the outburst. This combined with the slow pace of detainee processing is believed to be a significant factor in the fighting at Christmas Island.
Those individuals deemed responsible for the brawl have criminal charges brought against them.
Prime Minister Rudd noted that this may affect the status of certain refugee applications. Whether or not a detainee may be granted a visa depends in part on whether the individual has committed a serious offense.
Approximately 1,000 asylum seekers are currently housed at Christmas Island. The government plans to increase the facility’s capacity to 1,400 inmates.
Over the past year, many immigrants, particularly those from Sri Lanka, have tried to enter Australia. Most of the immigrants are taken to Christmas Island to have their refugee status applications processed.
Australia takes in 13,000 refugees each year through official humanitarian programs. A majority of asylum seekers, who arrive by boat, are eventually found to be in need of protection and may settle permanently in Australia.
Opposition officials in the government claim the Prime Minister administration has been ineffective in controlling the country’s borders. Rudd claims that all asylum seekers will receive humane treatment but promises to take a hard-line approach to criminal gangs involved in people smuggling.
For more information please see:
Bloomberg – Australia to send team to Process Lankan Migrants, Herald Says – 24 November 2009
Monsters & Critics – Charges may follow asylum-seeker brawl, Australian Minister says – 23 November 2009
Voice of America – Australia Investigates Brawl Among Asylum Seekers in Camp – 23 November 2009
