Critics speak out

Refugee Action Coalition, April 13

"[The Howard government] has used the excuse of the crisis over West Papuans to put its preferred policy in place. It is now clear why the government has been building such a large detention centre on Christmas Island."

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, April 13

"There is no Australian consulate in West Papua to legally ask for asylum. Those who flee to Papua New Guinea are often pursued by the Indonesian military. West Papuans under threat may have no choice but to flee by boat to Australia — and now the government is seeking to close that door."

Pip Hinman, Socialist Alliance, April 13

"The 43 West Papuan asylum seekers should be granted permanent residence in Australia, with full rights, and the Australian government should afford the same protection to all those fleeing persecution by the Indonesian military in West Papua."

Tony Kevin, former diplomat and refugee advocate, April 16

"Howard has now utterly abandoned any pretence of international legality."

From Green Left Weekly, April 26, 2006.

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From GLW issue 665