Detention
More ex-offshore refugees were released from onshore detention. Less than 10 of the medically evacuated group of refugees remain in onshore detention. The releases prompted a UNHCR statement on Australia’s mandatory detention regime and renewed calls for the youngest child in the Murrugappan family to be granted a bridging visa, so that the family can return to Biloela.
Ukraine
As the number of Ukrainians who have fled the war passed 5 million, the UNHCR stepped up its assistance to people still inside the country. The USA announced a sponsorship program whereby up to 100,000 Ukrainians could resettle there.
Afghanistan
The Australian government announced an additional 16,500 Afghan refugees will be accepted for resettlement over the next four years. Around 1,400 Afghans with Australian visas remain trapped in Afghanistan and their visas have now expired. Some Afghan evacuees in Germany were ordered out of their accommodation to make way for Ukrainians.
International
Thailand deported refugees to Myanmar in breach of the international customary law of non-refoulement. In Malaysia 529 Rohingya refugees escaped from a detention camp and were subsequently apprehended. Britain signed a controversial deal with Rwanda whereby asylum seekers who entered the UK by boat would be sent there. The deal was finalised despite the most senior Home Office official warning that it did not represent value for money and is unlikely to be an effective deterrence. The UNHCR issued a statement in response.
In policy
The Refugee Council of Australia published an analysis of the refugee policies of parties and candidates in the upcoming federal election and the most urgent priorities for reform. Guardian Australia published a fact-check on the refugee policy differences between the ALP and the Coalition. The Australian Human Rights Commission was warned that its international accreditation could be downgraded over concerns about political interference. A downgrade would cause it to lose participation rights at the UN Human Rights Council. Professor Michelle Foster explained the situation of stateless people in Australia in an in-depth discussion on ABC Radio Melbourne.
The federal government announced that any ex-offshore refugees who are resettled in New Zealand would be barred from living in Australia, however it did not detail the mechanism by which this would occur. Refugees on temporary protection visas warned that the policy of protracted uncertainty has caused people to suicide.
New releases
My fourth time, we drowned by Sally Hayden, published by Harper Collins 4th Estate.