In the media
Offshore detention
The controversial US prison operator, set to take over garrison operations on Nauru, will be paid $42 million for 52 days preparatory work. Meanwhile the existing contractor, Canstruct International, will continue to receive payment for the same period. People still held on Nauru said they have lost all hope of a life. Former guards at the Manus Island detention centre agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement offer from the Australian government for harm caused during their work there. Fourteen refugees have been interviewed under the New Zealand resettlement program.
Detention
The UN subcommittee on the prevention of torture has been urged to investigate Australia’s practice of handcuffing of immigration detainees during off-site medical appointments. People in immigration detention spoke out about the violence and drug use in facilities and their fear for their safety.
International
Thai fishermen rescued 10 Rohingya refugees who were adrift at sea for some time, and found a further 41 Rohingya people stranded on an island. The Sri Lankan Guardian detailed the reasons behind an increase in the number of Sri Lankan people risking boat journeys. An increasing number of Somali refugees, who lived most of their life in Dadaab refugee camp, have returned to Somalia to try to make a new life. The Dutch government initiated a plan to house more than 1,000 asylum seekers and migrants on ships in response to a worsening accommodation crisis. Britain’s new Home Office Secretary pledged to end boat crossings to the UK. Former Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, was appointed to a panel to provide oversight of the UK’s controversial Rwanda transfer program.
In policy
As Australia’s asylum system was equated to a lottery, refugees who spent years offshore received letters stating that settlement in Australia is not an option and that they should apply for resettlement to New Zealand. Meanwhile, refugees who were resettled in Australia through a skilled refugee program urged the government to expand the successful program. Registrations for the 2022 UNSW Kaldor Centre Conference opened.
New releases
Forty Nights, a book by Pirooz Jafari, published by Ultimo Press.