The United Nations Refugee agency (UNHCR), today expressed deep concern over Australia’s announcement that it had returned 41 asylum seekers to Sri Lankan authorities.
Stressing that Australia could be in breach of international law, the UNHCR statement said,
Asylum seekers have already been tortured by Sri Lankan forces (04 July 2014)
Stressing that Australia could be in breach of international law, the UNHCR statement said,
“UNHCR understands that "enhanced screening procedures" were used as a basis for determining whether the 41 individuals involved raised claims for protection which required further consideration. Without further information UNHCR is not in a position, at this time, to confirm whether they were in accordance with international law. UNHCR has previously made known its concerns to Australia about its enhanced screening procedures and their non-compliance with international law.”“The principle of non-refoulement (the prohibition on return to threats to life or freedom) in the 1951 Refugee Convention and more broadly under customary international law is clear: it applies wherever an asylum-seeker is found and to whatever manner the expulsion or return is carried out, including during interception and other sea operations,” the statement added.
Asylum seekers have already been tortured by Sri Lankan forces (04 July 2014)