Go Asia Pacific Breaking News Asia - Aust gov't plays down disturbance among Nauru asylum seekers

		Asia home page \| Asia Breaking News

Aust gov't plays down disturbance among Nauru asylum seekers

The Australian government is playing down a disturbance created by asylum seekers being held on Nauru as part of the government's so called Pacific solution.

A spokesman for the Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock says some asylum seekers became angry and threw rocks after the government announced the results of assessments for refugee status earlier this week.

He says those involved hadn't received a decision.

Only seven of nearly 300 Afghans assessed so far, have won refugee status, although more than 300 others held on Nauru and Manus Island in Papua New Guinea have been successful.

The Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock won't say where the successful refugees will be sent, but says Australia has no moral obligation for quick resettlement.

Your only obligation to refugees is to provide them with sanctuary from persecution now none of these people are in situations where they are being persecuted and the issue of re-settlement has to be weighted in terms of people's priority of need for a resettlement place.

10/04/2002 14:17:00 | ABC Radio Australia News

More Asia Breaking News

28/05/2002 17:06:45
India, Pakistan exchange mortar and artillery fire
28/05/2002 17:06:46
Pakistan test fires third missile as peace mission launched
28/05/2002 17:06:47
Brunei lifts travel freeze that prevented 13 foreigners leaving
28/05/2002 17:06:49
China may makie Fiji an Approved Tourist Destination
28/05/2002 16:04:36
Pakistan test fires third missile
28/05/2002 14:26:45
International efforts to address tension between India and Pakistan

Back