In the media
Detention
Advocates continued to call for the immediate release of refugees in immigration detention as the average duration of detention reached a new record of 689 days. The government confirmed an in principle agreement to accept New Zealand’s longstanding offer to take in refugees who were held in offshore detention. Some refugees have withdrawn from the USA resettlement process because their spouses, also refugees, are not guaranteed to be accepted through the program. Financial reports show that the company contracted to run Australia’s detention operations in Nauru made more than $500,000 profit per person held there.
Afghanistan
The ABC detailed the contrasting experience of Afghan refugees who were evacuated by Australia and those who entered Australia by boat. The full Federal Court allowed an appeal by the government who aim to deport a Hazara man to Afghanistan. Afghan orphans with Australian links are among those who remain trapped in Afghanistan. Afghan evacuees in the UK remain in hotel accommodation due to bureaucratic issues whereby rental assistance is terminated for anyone who finds their own accommodation outside of the council housing process.
International
European countries have opened their borders to Ukrainian refugees as a surge is expected following the Russian invasion. Journalists who fled Myanmar following the coup detailed their difficult journey to reach safety in Australia. Cameroonian asylum seekers who were deported from the USA have experienced abuse on return. Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia’s Afar region were killed amidst the ongoing conflict between Tigrayan and government forces. The British Home Secretary was criticised for commissioning Alexander Downer to review their Border Force because of his role in establishing Australia’s offshore detention program.
In policy
The federal government commenced fast tracking of visa applications from Ukrainians and state governments committed support to Ukrainian refugees who are resettled in Australia. More than 40 local councils across Australia united to call on the next government to finalise the asylum claims of more than 100,000 people who have been years for permanent protection.