Woomera children at risk
From AAP
19jan02
UNACCOMPANIED children held at the Woomera detention centre should be relocated to Adelaide as soon as possible, the Australian Democrats have argued.
South Australian Democrats Senator Meg Lees today urged Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock to move the children after more than 60 detainees sewed their lips together in a protest at the centre, in SA's north.
"These children are at risk of long-term psychological damage from witnessing the self-mutilation of other asylum seekers," she said.
"Refugee children are innocent victims of events beyond their control and the harsh conditions prevailing at Woomera only adds to the trauma they have suffered.
"As a society we need a compassionate, humane response to the plight of the children held in Woomera.
"The fact is that most of these children will qualify for refugee status and become Australian citizens.
"By keeping the children in these dangerous and traumatic conditions we are damaging their chances of becoming productive members of Australian society."
The protest is believed to have been sparked by the rejection of a huge number of applications and the time taken to process applications at the centre.
At least 100 more detainees are believed to be on a hunger strike.
Last month, two asylum seekers mutilated themselves during three days of riots, which saw 21 security guards injured and 21 buildings set on fire.