Returnees are safe – Australian Immigration Minister

Friday, 4 May 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asylum seekers who have returned to Sri Lanka from Australia are safe, because they were found to be not genuine refugees, Australia’s Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said.

“We return people who have not been able to establish against what is a very fair system that they are in danger if they return to countries,” Radio Australia News reported, quoting the Minister.

“And that applies to Sri Lanka, to Iraq, to Afghanistan across the board,” he said.

The Australian Ministry is currently on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation among the two nations against people smuggling.

Australia will work with closely with Sri Lanka to stop people smuggling operations by air and sea, the Minister said.