Survivors tell why the boats keep coming

[Violet_Crumble]

Indonesian authorities have found 13 people on an island off East Java, raising hope there have been more survivors of the disastrous sinking of a vessel laden with asylum seekers.

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Amid emotional pleas for the Australian government to help them and wrenching accounts of wives, children and brothers lost at sea, two of the survivors sharply criticised the immigration policies they say encourages them to take great risks with their lives.

"Why does Australia not close the border?," said Esmat Adine, a 24 year old Afghan. "Everyone is coming because the border is open. Everyone is going there and they are being accepted.

"If Australia does no want asylum seekers to come to Australia [by boat], it is a better way to close all the borders and then no-one will come."

Devastated by their ordeal, they want to be flown to Australia, where many already have families. But they know that is not something the Australian government will do and they face a long stint in immigration detention, or a hostel, in Indonesia.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/survivors-tell-why-the-boats-keep-coming-20111219-1p1td.html#ixzz1gyVRRZJk

[Matilda]

1. And now the government is once again letting Tony Abbott set their agenda.

After refusing to discuss the Naura option for the past twelve months, they are now sitting down to talk about just that. It makes Gillard look weak, and heightens the feeling that she doesn't really believe anything she says. It's all about political gamesmanship.

It was Howard who started the demonising of "boat people" for his own political ends, and now Labor is caught in the trap. As far as I know, we are the only country that is trying to insist on offshore processing. I do think people who come her seeking asylum need to be carefully vetted, but do it here, and do it quickly.

[Violet_Crumble]

2. Yeah, and there's not much light between their respective positions...

The reality is that while there's wars and conflict happening that force people to flee their homes in search of somewhere safe, asylum seekers are going to try to get here. What needs to be stopped is the dangerous and life-threatening way they try to get here thanks to people-smugglers, not a stop to asylum seekers coming here. And I agree with you. The offshore processing is pathetic. Asylum seekers should be processed here, and they shouldn't be kept in detention centres for long periods of time.