Ruddock hits back on US reports

IMMIGRATION Minister Philip Ruddock has defended the Government's handling of asylum seekers against claims in a major US newspaper that Australia was treating them like criminals.

In a series of weekend articles, the Los Angeles Times newspaper castigated Australia's policy of detention for unauthorised arrivals and the so-called Pacific Solution.

Under the headlines "Bane of the Boat People" and "The 'Crime' of Being a Young Refugee", the paper said the hardline policy had resulted in drownings of asylum seekers seeking sanctuary in Australia.

It also said at least three teenage boys had sewn their lips shut to protest their treatment in remote detention camps.

The article said children at the centres generally received no schooling after they turned 12, while a two-year-old was put in leg locks for 45 minutes and an eight-year-old boy handcuffed.

In a four-page rebuttal forwarded to LA Times editorial pages manager Janet Clayton, Mr Ruddock said the articles had been "notable for their lack of attention to the detail surrounding Australia's program of dealing with asylum seekers".

He said Australia had a proud and arguably unrivalled record of assisting people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance which dated back to the flight of German Jews in the 1930s.

But he said the Government did not resile from stopping unauthorised arrivals.

"There are currently 21.8 million refugees and people of concern throughout the world," Mr Ruddock said.

"Australia cannot take them all but we demonstrate every year that we will continue our efforts to assist those most in need."

Mr Ruddock said Australia could not be held responsible for drownings in international waters, while many of the detention criticisms came from advocacy groups opposed to detention policy.

"It is important to remember that just like the United States, Australia is a sovereign country which alone determines who is allowed entry and who is not, and has laws which protect its borders and safeguard its citizens," he said.

He said detention allowed the Government to check the health and refugee-claims status of asylum seekers, after which genuine refugees were released.

He also rebutted the papers claims leg locks had been used on children and defended access to education in detention camps.

"Although not compulsory, children are encouraged to participate in the educational programs available," Mr Ruddock said.

"In some detention facilities, children attend local schools."

The minister reiterated the Government's view that many asylum seekers were making a lifestyle decision to come to Australia, fleeing safe countries of first asylum such as Iran and Pakistan for a better life.

It was vital, he said, that "unfounded and patently incorrect claims are not used to form judgements that erode the pride we as a nation are entitled to feel about the hand we extend to those in such great need".

Executives from the LA Times were not available to comment on Mr Ruddock's letter, although night staff at the paper confirmed the rebuttal had been received.

The articles had stirred widespread interest in the US, they said.


	Ruddock hits back on US reports From AAP 10jan02 IMMIGRATION Minister Philip Ruddock has defended the Government's handling of asylum seekers against claims in a major US newspaper that Australia was treating them like criminals. In a series of weekend articles, the Los Angeles Times newspaper castigated Australia's policy of detention for unauthorised arrivals and the so-called Pacific Solution. Under the headlines "Bane of the Boat People" and "The 'Crime' of Being a Young Refugee", the paper said the hardline policy had resulted in drownings of asylum seekers seeking sanctuary in Australia. It also said at least three teenage boys had sewn their lips shut to protest their treatment in remote detention camps. The article said children at the centres generally received no schooling after they turned 12, while a two-year-old was put in leg locks for 45 minutes and an eight-year-old boy handcuffed. In a four-page rebuttal forwarded to LA Times editorial pages manager Janet Clayton, Mr Ruddock said the articles had been "notable for their lack of attention to the detail surrounding Australia's program of dealing with asylum seekers". He said Australia had a proud and arguably unrivalled record of assisting people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance which dated back to the flight of German Jews in the 1930s. But he said the Government did not resile from stopping unauthorised arrivals. "There are currently 21.8 million refugees and people of concern throughout the world," Mr Ruddock said. "Australia cannot take them all but we demonstrate every year that we will continue our efforts to assist those most in need." Mr Ruddock said Australia could not be held responsible for drownings in international waters, while many of the detention criticisms came from advocacy groups opposed to detention policy. "It is important to remember that just like the United States, Australia is a sovereign country which alone determines who is allowed entry and who is not, and has laws which protect its borders and safeguard its citizens," he said. He said detention allowed the Government to check the health and refugee-claims status of asylum seekers, after which genuine refugees were released. He also rebutted the papers claims leg locks had been used on children and defended access to education in detention camps. "Although not compulsory, children are encouraged to participate in the educational programs available," Mr Ruddock said. "In some detention facilities, children attend local schools." The minister reiterated the Government's view that many asylum seekers were making a lifestyle decision to come to Australia, fleeing safe countries of first asylum such as Iran and Pakistan for a better life. It was vital, he said, that "unfounded and patently incorrect claims are not used to form judgements that erode the pride we as a nation are entitled to feel about the hand we extend to those in such great need". Executives from the LA Times were not available to comment on Mr Ruddock's letter, although night staff at the paper confirmed the rebuttal had been received. The articles had stirred widespread interest in the US, they said.