The Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) today released Deported to Danger II, which continues examining the fate of people whose claims for protection in Australia were rejected.

“In 2006, we interviewed 41 asylum seekers, 36 for the first time and 5 for the second time. This brings the total number of formal interviews to 81. So far we have made contact with over 200 people from 20 countries.” ERC director Phil Glendenning said.

“The vast majority are living in danger. Some have been killed.

“Our report was sent to the Minister for Immigration, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva today.”

The report found that 39 of the 41 were deported to danger. Two have found welcome in New Zealand.

“We believe the experiences of these men provide strong evidence that their claims were rejected based on flawed assessments.” Mr. Glendenning said.

“Factors contributing to such flawed assessments include lack of relevant and sometimes crucial knowledge of the complex, historical, social cultural realities of an asylum seeker’s homeland.

“Pressures and inducements used to persuade these to men to accept removal indicate that the term ‘voluntary’ is unjustified.

“Detention in Nauru places people beyond the democratic safeguards of Australian law, breaching Australian values and international obligations to safeguard human rights. It imposes sub-standard living conditions and subjects people to demeaning treatment on deportation flights.

“Finally fundamental reform is needed if we are to honour human rights obligations and the values they enshrine.

“Those who are in danger have compelling cases for their claims to be reassessed.” Mr. Glendenning concluded.

For interview please contact: Phil Glendenning 0419 013 758 or Johanna Somerville 0412 567 397