Boat crash survivors back on Christmas Island

17 Feb 2011, 11:54 am   -   Source: AAP
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Survivors of December's Christmas Island boat tragedy, flown to Sydney this week to attend funerals for those who died, have returned to the island.

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Survivors of December's Christmas Island boat tragedy, flown to Sydney this week to attend funerals for those who died, have been returned to the island, the Department of Immigration says.

Refugee advocates say they were taken away from the Villawood detention centre in a shroud of secrecy.

The 22 survivors, including a nine-year-old orphaned boy, were housed at Villawood after attending funerals for those who died on Tuesday.

They had been due to leave the centre about 9am (AEDT) on Thursday.

Social Justice Network spokesman Jamal Daoud said family and well-wishers came to say goodbye to them about 8am (AEDT) on Thursday, and it was disappointing they had been denied the opportunity to say goodbye to them.

It is still not known what time they left.

"This is very bad, because these people told them they wanted to say goodbye to their relatives and they were denied this right," Mr Daoud said.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship confirmed the 22 people - including nine-year-old Iranian Senan - had left Villawood on Thursday.

"Decisions on their long-term placement on the mainland will be made soon on a case by case basis," a spokesman told AAP.

Arguing they were not mentally fit to return to the island because it would bring up too many painful memories for them, refugee advocates filed a request with the Human Rights Commissioner on Thursday morning in the hope of allowing them to stay longer, but the detainees were secretly ushered away hours before 9am on a flight back to Christmas Island.

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Your Comments

Muslims

Wayne - from Melbourne , 1 year

They are Illegal ,they use Democracy to push their cause but they are far from Democratic , I dont care who he is this boy is an Illegal the fact he lost his parents is Bad luck ! how about Australian kids Who lose their parents in a car accident , this country is being Blackmailed by these people who dont want to merge into Australian society and the term Multiculurism is a joke , they dont intergrate dont want to and lastly they do Hate us we are infidels , Riots are just around the corner

Australian rights

Michael - from Rosebud, 1 year

Its OUR right as Australians to have a say on immigration of OUR country. Most Australians want a say and a referendum would be the only option. The minority interest groups are just that MINORITY and it is the will of the MAJORITY that should be listened to.

What a waste

Ernie - from Geelong, 1 year

Why could not the funerals be held on Christmas Island. How much money has been wasted by Bowen and Gillard on that lot. Sick of them.

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