Thomas Albrecht, UNHCR regional representative in Canberra, points out that Australia's refugee policy has been an abject failure.
Last week the first refugees from Nauru and Papua New Guinea departed to start a new life in the United States.
Thomas Albrecht, UNHCR regional representative in Canberra, says in a column published in the Guardian that after more than four years spent in limbo, in harsh and punitive conditions, those who sought Australia’s protection will finally find the chance to rebuild their lives elsewhere in safety and with dignity.
Mr Albrecht stresses that it is time to bring an end to this saga for the rest, arguing that the best solution, especially for those with close family ties, is to bring the recognised refugees to Australia, where people can receive proper medical and psychological care, and start to repair and rebuild their lives.
He points out that closing borders and outsourcing obligations will not prevent people from seeking safety, nor will it provide protection to the men, women and children who need it, but it will only be a destructive and dangerous precedent.
He understands why those who originally supported offshore processing were moved by the tragic drownings of men, women and children who were trying desperately to reach Australia’s shores, to embrace policies and practices seeking to end the boats. But he pointedly says there is a false and disingenuous logic in saving people at sea, only to then mistreat and neglect them on land. In other words, good intentions cannot justify the status quo.
Mr Albrecht argues that Australia’s refugee policy has been an abject failure and suggests that a proper approach by Australia must include, at a minimum, solutions for all refugees and asylum seekers sent to Papua New Guinea and Nauru, and an end to offshore processing.
Thomas Albrecht is the UNHCR regional representative in Canberra
