Australia deported 332 failed asylum seekers so far

Australia has deported 332 asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka since the Australian government reopened offshore processing centres on neighbouring island countries.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship said eight Sri Lankan men, including five from the processing centre on Nauru Island, arrived in Colombo on Sunday after having agreed to return voluntarily. Some of the 332 returnees have been returned involuntarily and asylum seekers can request to be sent home at any time during their processing, a department spokesman said.

“Regular transfers to Nauru and more Sri Lankans returning home is further proof that there is no advantage engaging with people smugglers,” the spokesman said. All 332 have been sent back since the Australian government announced on 13 August that irregular maritime arrivals would be liable for transfer to regional processing facilities in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement the departure of recent Sri Lankans raised no issues that engaged Australia’s international obligations. A report by The Australian newspaper said Bowen’s comment implied that the returned Sri Lankans weren’t considered refugees.

“The government will continue to return people where they do not engage Australia’s international obligations,” Bowen said.

Australia changed its policy on asylum seekers this year and the refugees arriving after 13 August will be sent to the detention centres in Nauru and Manus Island where they have to wait for a long period to obtain a legitimate visa.

Australia continues to struggle with thousands of asylum seekers arriving in its waters in dangerously overcrowded and rickety boats. All have paid people smugglers hundreds or thousands of dollars for the sometimes fatal voyage. Government figures estimate around more than 600 refugees have drowned in the past three years. The centres were opened after a deal by the government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard with Malaysia floundered earlier this year over legal issues.

The Australian Prime Minister decided in August to negotiate the reopening of the centres after an independent panel, led by former Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, recommended offshore processing.