Final group expected to leave Oceanic Viking

Last Updated: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:37:00 +1100

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says special arrangements have been made to house the women and children asylum seekers picked up by the Oceanic Viking.

The 78 Sri Lankans were rescued by the Australian Customs ship after sending out a distress signal in Indonesia's search and rescue zone.

After a nearly four-week stalemate during which the Tamils asylum seekers refused to leave the ship for Indonesia, some agreed to disembark after being offered quick re-settlement in Australia or another developed country.

An initial group of 22 asylum seekers - all men - left the ship last week and were transferred to a detention centre in Tanjung Pinang, the capital of the Riau Islands.

Separate quarters

Australia's Federal Opposition has questioned whether the Sri Lankans who have already left the Oceanic Viking are being held separately within an Indonesian detention centre out of fear for their safety.

Mr Rudd wouldn't confirm the report, but in comments to Australia's Parliament, he has said women and children will be held in a facility adjacent to the Tanjung Pinang detention centre.

"As far as these individuals are concerned Mr Speaker - women and children - of course there are separate and special arrangements being made," he said.

"But I make the overall point that in Indonesia, the accommodation arrangements for asylum seekers are ultimately the responsibility of the Indonesian government."

The Oceanic Viking could leave Indonesian waters as soon as remaining 56 Sri Lankans still on board honour a commitment to come ashore in Indonesia.

On Wednesday evening, at least 32 of the remaining group had left the ship.

The deal offered to the 78 Sri Lankans, who were picked up by the Oceanic Viking last month, means that those with refugee status and family connections in Australia could be resettled within a month.

For those not yet registered with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the process could take up to three months, so long as their refugee claims are recognised.

Border warning

Meanwhile Australia's former Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock, has warned that the deal offered to the Oceanic Viking group may prompt others to sabotage their boats.

Mr Ruddock, of the Opposition Liberal Party, says the deal shows that if you pressure the Government, Australia's borders mean nothing.

"I wouldn't want to suggest that people will necessarily sabotage boats and bring about tragic loss of life," he said.

"but I don't know how others might see it - in terms of how you bring yourself within the special circumstances that now get you into Australia within four weeks."

Political competition

But the Secretary-General of Amnesty International says Australian politicians and the media are creating an unfounded panic about asylum seekers.

Irene Kahn says the humanitarian obligation to protect those fleeing persecution is being eroded by political parties competing to be the toughest on border protection.

She says it's not necessary for asylum seekers to be processed offshore in places like Christmas Island and says the centre there should be closed down.

"We very much hope that having taken care of the Pacific Solution, the Australian Government will feel confident enough to close down Christmas Island," she said.

"We don't believe that holding asylum seekers in offshore centres of that kind actually deter asylum seekers from coming. They come when there are problems in the world."

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