Australia returns asylum seekers to Sri Lanka

[alp227]

Source: Al Jazeera

Australia has confirmed it handed over a boatload of asylum seekers to Sri Lankan authorities in a transfer at sea, drawing outrage from rights groups who fear those on board could face persecution when they go home.

The 41 Sri Lankans were intercepted by Australia's border patrol off the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean in late June, immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said in a statement on Monday.

This is the first time Prime Minister Tony Abbott's government has confirmed it screened asylum seekers at sea and returned them directly to their home country.

On Sunday, the asylum seekers were handed over to the Sri Lankan government after their refugee claims were assessed at sea and rejected.

Read more: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/07/2014775461501639.html

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Same could happen to the Central American asylum seekers in the USA.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Australia court blocks migrants' return to Sri Lanka

he Australian government's attempt to return 153 asylum seekers to Sri Lanka has been blocked by the high court.

The move comes after Australia confirmed on Monday it had returned 41 people to Sri Lanka after screening their asylum claims at sea on Sunday.

>

The interim injunction will prevent the Australian government from returning the 153 asylum seekers until Tuesday afternoon, when the matter is set to be heard in the high court, ABC News reports.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged on Monday that a boat-load of 41 people had been handed back to Sri Lanka, while not commenting on the fate of a second boat reportedly carrying about 150 people.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-28193492

[hack89]

2. Only if they were stopped by US agents outside of our borders

hard to see how that could happen.

[denem]

3. The High (Supreme) Court of Australia, issued an injunction last night

against transferring more Sri Lankan asylum seekers, perhaps up to 150 in number, to their authorities. Case to be heard tomorrow.

[heaven05]

4. surprise, surprise

NOT!!!! in looking at their photo, that is .