Turnbull Government must seal the deal on asylum seekers

Thursday, February 2, 2017

World Vision Australia chief advocate Tim Costello has urged the Australian Government to seal the deal on asylum-seekers on Manus Island and Nauru with new US President Donald Trump – and also reveal its plans for asylum seekers not accepted by the US.

Reverend Costello, who has previously described conditions on Manus Island and Nauru as a form of psychological torture, said the humanitarian agency was watching the situation closely.

“This situation must be resolved,” Rev Costello said.

“We would hope that the Trump administration honours the agreement made by President Obama.

“No group of refugees in the world have had their refugee applications more thoroughly reviewed than those who have been held in indefinite detention on Manus Island and Nauru.

“They are being held in limbo only because the Australian Government refuses to accept asylum-seekers who attempted to reach Australia by boat, not because they are not genuine refugees.

“The Turnbull Government must clarify the situation as soon as possible and also advise the Australian public what plans it has for any asylum-seekers not accepted by the US.”

Picture: Refugees, Iraq.  More than 65 million people are living as displaced persons because of conflict and persecution.

For further information, contact: Stuart Rintoul 0407 241 492

Media Releases, Asylum Seekers, Refugees, Tim Costello

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