Refugee update
Although the 157 people aboard the boat from India are seeking asylum (according to High Court documents), and no officials from any country has interviewed them yet, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has branded them Wirtschaftsemigranten ("economic migrants", as the Nazis called fleeing Jews) because India a "safe" country. India is not a party to the Refugee Convention. Most Tamil refugees there are required to live in camps under constant surveillance and in poor and sometimes dangerous conditions; they report police harassment, and face the danger of refoulement - being sent back to Sri Lanka.
Fifty of the 157 are children. The asylum seekers are suing for damages for false imprisonment.
Fifty of the 157 are children. The asylum seekers are suing for damages for false imprisonment.