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A harrowing look inside Australia’s detention centres

24 Feb 05:30am

Filed under: Asylum Seekers, Boats, Border Control, Christmas Island, Detention, Detention Centres, Refugees

I’ve just returned from two weeks visiting some of Australia’s most remote detention facilities. In eight different centres across Christmas Island, Curtin, Perth and Darwin I met with hundreds of asylum seekers caught up in Australia’s policy of indefinite detention.

A failed asylum seeker with lips sewn together and a necklace of his prescribed medication. Pic: Refugee Action Coalition Group

If people in Australia were able to replicate my harrowing trip and come to any conclusion other than detention is a cruel, expensive and unnecessary farce of a policy, I would be shocked. Unfortunately, one of the problems with these centres being so remote is that most Australians will never get this opportunity.

So let me tell you what I saw.

Continue reading "A harrowing look inside Australia’s detention centres" »

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Patrick says:

12:37pm | 18/10/12

Everyone must be warned bfeore coming to the United States. Even if you have a visa, you are putting yourself at risk of Homeland Security ICE officers. I have a best friend that is from Paris France here on an education visa to finish his degree. He has been here… Read more »
Ray says:

08:35am | 16/03/12

OK, Alex Pagliaro what is your alternative to mandatory detention? Let all them in if they arrive? Please tell me next time you are having a party at your place (or even if you are having a meal you think I might like). I do agree that the whole process… Read more »

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