By Lance Lattig, Amnesty International’s Malaysia researcher
Australia’s ABC News recently went out on patrol with Malaysia’s Coast Guard, which has received US$1 million worth of boats from the Australian government as part of an immigration control program.
While Australia’s shores are thousands of kilometres from Malaysia, refugees fleeing persecution in countries like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka must pass through Malaysian waters when they head to Australia to seek asylum. Australia says its program with Malaysia is to prevent boatloads of people from making the dangerous sea journey south. Meanwhile back at home, Australia has been trying to push away its obligations to asylum seekers. In April, the Australian government suspended processing of all asylum claims by Afghans or Sri Lankans, most of whom had made it to Australia only after enduring the Malaysia part of their journey.
Continuar leyendo ‘Australia helps Malaysia put refugees in choke-hold’ »
