Liz Wheeler
PM John Howard has made many comments over the past month about the East Timorese people's need for security and stability. His concern about East Timorese people in Australia's backyard is welcome, but he appears to have forgotten those sitting in our living room.
East Timorese asylum seekers in Australia have been waiting for up to 10 years for permanent refuge. On top of their very real fear for friends and family still in East Timor is their fear of deportation. The federal government has consistently maintained that the asylum seekers are dual nationals of Indonesia and Portugal and has denied them refugee status.
Last September, a Melbourne Federal Court judge decided in favour of an East Timorese refugee seeking permanent residency in Australia. That decision was immediately appealed by the federal government, which told the full court on May 21 that Portugal would give effective protection to the asylum seekers.
The Federal Court hearing has been adjourned to August, but meanwhile, East Timorese asylum seekers in this country — some 1650 people — are in crisis. Many arrived in poor physical and mental health, problems which have been exacerbated by poverty, poor housing and limited access to health care and employment.
With so many images of war and violence in the media at the moment, the asylum seekers are constantly reminded of their own trauma, displacement and torture. The uncertainty of their situation multiplies the effects of all these pressures.
The asylum seekers are victims of the Australia government's long-standing friendship with the Indonesian regime. They are also victims of immigration minister Philip Ruddock's desire to send a clear message to people around the world that those who don't go through "proper channels" won't obtain refugee status in Australia.
Unfortunately for the East Timorese, and many others, applying for refugee status via the "proper channels" is rarely an option. Faced with torture, death and repression, it's reasonable to take any opportunity for escape — regardless of the requirements of politicians and bureaucrats.
Given the violence and uncertainty in East Timor today, this is an especially appropriate time to grant these people the unqualified right to reside in Australia. Permanent residency would enable them to begin to heal, plan for their futures and build links with other communities.
Few East Timorese asylum seekers have any confidence that there will be meaningful change in East Timor in the immediate future. In the longer term, however, should the security situation in East Timor stabilise and the territory secure its independence, asylum seekers should be able to choose whether to remain in Australia or return (temporarily or permanently) to East Timor.
Some may feel able or willing to participate in the onerous task of rebuilding the East Timorese nation, but others may not. Many have nothing but memories left in East Timor and some now have strong relationships with people in Australia. Individuals and families must be able to decide freely whether, when and what circumstances to return.
The Howard government has the power to immediately guarantee the security of East Timorese people living in Australia, a resolution that is long overdue.
For more information about supporting East Timorese asylum seekers, phone the Sanctuary Network on (03) 9348 1261.