Australian bishop, former refugee, decries plan to turn away boat people

Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen

The Catholic Church in Australia is protesting over government proposals to ban refugees who arrived in Australia by boat after July 2013 from ever being able to apply for a visa to stay in the country. Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen ofm conv, Australian Catholic Bishops Delegate for Refugees, who came to Australia from Vietnam as a boat refugee himself, in 1981, said:

"The announcement by Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and Minister for Immigration, Peter Dutton that the Government will introduce proposed legislation banning those who have arrived to Australia by boat from 19 July 2013 onwards from ever being able to apply for a visa to Australia is deeply disappointing."

"Seeking asylum even by boat is not illegal. It is a basic human right. Yet not content with demeaning them, the Australian government now want to introduce laws that will ban them from ever coming here."

"The motives for these measures, in light of the current situation on Manus Island and Nauru, and in light of the bigger challenges facing Australia, are questionable at best and sinister at worst. Domestic advocates and international agencies have been appalled by the conditions under which asylum seekers live and the effects on their health, spirits and self-respect. To single out and punish further a small number of people who came by boat, even if they are found to meet the refugee definition is deliberately cruel and un-Australian. It betrays the tradition, status and character of the country that we are proud of - a richly resourced country with a big heart for migrants and refugees."

"I urge all Australians to reject these cruel and unnecessary measures. We must find a more just, humane and effective way in dealing with the complex issues of seeking asylum and refugee protection. Inflicting more pain and harm to a small group of people who have caused us no harm is not worthy of all fair dinkum Australians."

"I appeal to all political leaders to resist this latest mean-spirited move against asylum seekers and to reclaim the reputation of a decent, humane and generous country; it is the kind of country that refugees like myself are indebted to and proud to call home."

Source: Australian Catholic Bishops Conference