In the media
Detention
COVID-19 returned to immigration detention with positive cases among detention staff in Sydney and Melbourne.
Court
The former Home Affairs Minister, Peter Dutton, amended his defamation claim against a refugee advocate to include aggravated damages.
Afghanistan
Afghan evacuees, including unaccompanied minors, completed their hotel quarantine. Meanwhile a coalition of 300 organisations called for a special humanitarian intake prioritisation of family reunion for Afghans. Afghan asylum seekers already in Australia were warned they may be returned and interpreters that Australia left behind sought protection elsewhere.
Community
Three members of the Murugappan family were granted 12-month bridging visas as Australian Story broadcast a feature on their experience of detention.
International
Reports emerged of war crimes committed by Eritrean soldiers and Tigrayan militias, who raped, detained and killed Eritrean refugees. The UNHCR published a report on their top 10 most underfunded crises in 2021. A British Home Office report acknowledged there is little evidence that their proposed turnback and removal policy for boat arrivals will reduce crossings, and could motivate people to attempt more dangerous alternatives. Australia’s experience of the policy was discussed in the media and analysed at a UK parliamentary committee hearing attended by Australia’s High Commissioner. America committed to an annual refugee intake of 125,000 people next year as Canada announced it will accept 40,000 Afghan refugees. Meanwhile European countries were condemned for adopting more restrictive policies towards asylum seekers and the plight of those crossing the Mediterranean was explored by ABC’s Foreign Correspondent. A Rohingya man who monitored atrocities committed against his people was killed in a refugee camp in Bangladesh.
In policy
A fact check of the Immigration Minister’s claim that Australia is among the world's "most generous humanitarian resettlers" found the claim was misleading. An analysis of the AJL20 Habeas Corpus case detailed the paradox that detention for the purpose of removal continues to be lawful even when removal is not being actively pursued. A policy paper outlined permanent residency pathways for refugees on temporary protection visas that could ameliorate current labour shortages in Australia.
In research
COVID-related uncertainty was found to have a particularly distressing impact on asylum seekers who have experienced protracted uncertainty due to their temporary visa status.