a3.1 Story from an Australian detention centre

"While we were living in Woomera detention about ten months, I and my son were being separated from my husband by transferring us to the Woomera housing project. During this period, ACM (Australian Correctional Management) made a lot of harassment and misbehaviour on us. For example once ACM did not allow us to see the father for almost one and half months. Although I requested many times the answer was no. I spent all of my time doing service for the ACM, I was looking after unaccompanied minors and the other children while the hunger strike was on in Woomera."

"I gathered these orphan children with me and gave them comfort, fed them and I also did some other human and charity help to this town housing project. After that I got the permission to visit my husband and I went to see him having prepared homemade food. Unfortunately I was insulted and tortured by ACM guards, who refused to hand over my food to him. Gradually they were starting to show very cruel attitude for us and harden the rules. Granting permission for visits was also stricken and little by little we were separated from each other. As a result of this unbearable mental harassment by separating us, and on going physical and mental torturing conditions at Woomera, he got depressed. Not only, that depriving the association of the father, my son was also starting to show signs of mental sicknesses."

"Gradually I understood this separation might be harmful for my family life and my husband's and son's mentality as well, so I requested to be back in the Woomera detention center. It was refused by DIMIA and ACM tried to keep us as it is. After compelling so hardly I got the opportunity to resettle at Woomera. We were brought to Oscar compound, where they have arranged to keep the people who have undergone punishment with minimum facilities."

"In this compound my son was day by day becoming more depressed and sick until he started to harm himself. My husband got very serious mentally illness and was hospitalised to mental hospital in Adelaide city. They brought him back to the detention centre after few days. My husband was very sick, depressed and saddened. My son was completely mentally ill due to treating us in this horrible manner."

"We had been continuing this life since January of 2003, among many difficulties such as room searching, abusing, ill-treating and many others. After couple of incidents in Woomera on the 02nd of January early in the morning about 35 CERT ACM guards raided our room when we were sleeping. In savagely behaviour they assaulted us and handcuffed us. They did not allow us to wear clothes and use even slippers. We were frightening and horrified, our situation was just panic and we were not sure what they are going to do for us. Later we realised that they are going to take us to Baxter detention center. Thus about 35 ACM guards were beating and dragging us, I am and my husband were boldly injured. Moreover, my 12 year old son also was beaten, punching in his head in very barbaric action. He got panic because of he is suffering from headache and mentally illness and my husband too."

"Since after we came to Baxter detention, situation has become much worst. We have undergone ACM routine checkup every 15-minute. They open our door and peep through it during day and night. All the time when I heard the noise of opening the door I wake up. My son also could not take rest and at night he is having very bad nightmares and suddenly wakes up with screaming. When I was out in the daytime, he had cut his hands very badly. Because of this problem, my husband also has got more mental shock and some times is unconscious and tries to walk without clothes out from the room due to sever depression."

"I am also human person and could tolerate all these troubles up to some extent. I do not see any further action, to be taken either to cure my husband or treating to my son, to become normality by neither ACM staff nor DIMIA (Department of Immigration) at Baxter. They just consider this a normal incident for them and do not pay attention to overcome this situation. There is no way for me to send my son for school. Because of inadequate activities, he shows inclined tensioned attitudes, is stuck and staying in the room always. I do not know what to do. I feel some time why has it happened, all mysterious things to my family. When we can become to normal situation? Will it happen by keeping us in the locking surrounding and dehumanising us? We would also like to have freedom and to live like others live. It is up you to decide what you should do for all these inhuman treatments and disrespect for the humanity! For The Sake Of God, we are looking forward when we can get rid of this evil hand." (From Baxter News)

Questions:

1. Australia is criticized by the human rights organisations for its handling of refugees. Why do you think Australia has chosen these refugee policies?
2. How does your own country treat refugees? Are there any similarities to Australia? Do you think your country's refugee policies should be stricter or less strict? Why?
3. What other problems do refugees face on their way and in the hosting country?
4. Why are refugees more vulnerable for human right violations?
5. Are refugees equal with other citizens?
6. What stereotypes are there of refugees?
7. What makes refugees different from other people?

3.2 Refugee's rights: political and humanitarian

Enshrined in Article 14 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the right "to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution". Victims of human rights abuses must be able to leave their country freely and to seek refuge elsewhere. Asylum seeker has a right to review if the case is first rejected. Countries may also not forcibly return refugees to a territory where they face danger.?lt;br />
Like everyone else, refugees have right to physical safety and basic human rights such as freedom of thought, of movement and freedom from torture and degrading treatment. Refugees, especially the elderly, women and children, are often vulnerable to violence. Rape is a common element of persecution and a common reason driving families from their homes. In the wars of the late 20th century civilians have increasingly become the targets of warfare. Civilians may be sexually assaulted during their flight and on arrival in their country of asylum by officials, locals or other refugees. Governments should work to protect refugees from further human rights violations. In the hosting country refugees have also right to education, medical care and work. Refugees have an obligation to abide to the laws of the hosting country. (UNHCR, HRW)

The main goal of UNHCR is to make every refugee self-sufficient as soon as possible. Voluntary repatriation is the preferred long-term solution for the majority of refugees. However, because of an ongoing threat of persecution or other reasons, some civilians cannot repatriate and are unable to live permanently in their country of asylum. Racism often prevents some refugees from returning home. In those circumstances, resettlement in a third country may be the only feasible option. (UNHCR)?lt;br />
Governments often treat refugees as a threat or a burden. Governments have ordered border closures strict visa requirements and fines on airlines transporting refugees making it harder for asylum seekers to reach their country. As a result many desperate people turn to smugglers and traffickers, which causes further problems of organised crime. On arrival refugees are often greeted with punitive measures, arbitrary arrests and detention. Social and economic rights are denied and negative portrayals of refugees are represented in the media. Racist violence is increasing around the world. Many countries in the developing world have in the past been welcoming to refugees, but with their own social and economic problems they have become more opposed to hosting large refugee populations. In the worst cases the most important right is violated and the refugees are returned to unsafe countries. Since September 11, many countries have pushed through emergency anti-terrorism legislation that curtails the rights of refugees. (HRW, UNHCR)

3.3 Story of Leba Tonnu

From UNHCR: Prominent Refugees, www.unhcr.ch.

During the communist take-over of Vietnam in 1975, Dr Leba Tonnu was stripped of her status as a dentist and forced to work as a janitor. Two years later, Tonnu, her husband and their two sons joined thousands of others in fleeing the repressive regime, but were caught and imprisoned. It was only on their second attempt, in 1979, that they escaped successfully.

The family, with fake Chinese papers, escaped in a 10-metre wooden boat carrying about 140 other fleeing Vietnamese. When the engine failed, they drifted in stormy seas for 13 days until they managed to make their way to the shores of Malaysia's Tioman island. But they were forced back out to sea, so in desperation they destroyed the boat. Tonnu remembers seeing nothing but black sea and black sky. Reaching the shore, they arrived at Cherating, a refugee camp run by UNHCR, where they remained for four months, sleeping on plastic sheets on ground that had been a garbage dump.

In September 1979, her family became the first Vietnamese, refugees brought to Canada, through private sponsorship by a Quebec family who assisted them financially for one year, helping them to adapt and begin their lives in a new country.

Not long after they arrived, Tonnu was delighted to find she was pregnant. However, her joy was tempered by the discovery that her husband was sick and required open-heart surgery.

During her first two years in Drummondville, Quebec, Tonnu had to re-study dentistry as her qualifications were not accepted in Canada. She worked as a dentist's assistant by day and prepared herself for the National Board Examination in Dentistry at night, teaching herself French and English along the way. After six years, she obtained her Dental Certificate Degree and set up her practice in Toronto.

In 1990, using her gift as a singer and her husband's talent on the flute and oboe, she formed the Hong Lac Vietnamese Music and Dance Ensemble. "Its main goal is to help young Vietnamese Canadians learn about their culture by exposing them to traditional Vietnamese music and dance," she says. "We want to keep the culture alive for children born here." The Hong Lac Ensemble has performed across the country and has represented Canada internationally, winning the praise of both the Vietnamese and the international arts communities.

Questions

1. Why are refugees often seen as burdens?
2. Could refugees be more than just a burden and benefit their new home country?
3. Do you know other success stories of refugees who have made a new life for themselves?
4. What kind of help do refugees need in hosting countries?