Asylum seeker stand-off continues in Merak
Posted 3 hours 10 minutes ago
The Federal Government says it is up to Indonesian authorities to deal with the asylum claims of a group of 255 Sri Lankans who have been docked in an Indonesian port since October.
The Australian Government asked the Indonesian authorities to intercept the boat before it reached Australian waters.
But most of the Sri Lankan passengers have refused to get off the boat, which is docked in the port of Merak.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says the group's asylum claims can only be processed if they get off the boat.
"It is incumbent now upon those passengers to disembark that vessel so that the UNHCR can properly process their claims," he said.
"Ultimately this whole arrangement is something that has to be undertaken and dealt with by the Indonesian authorities."
On the move
Meanwhile, another 40 Tamil asylum-seekers from the Oceanic Viking are on their way from Indonesia to Australia and North America for resettlement.
Thirty-one men, two women and one child were taken from the Tanjung Pinang detention centre this morning.
Another six asylum seekers are due to leave this afternoon.
Indonesian police say 16 of the asylum-seekers are coming to Australia, with the rest heading for Canada and the United States.
All 78 Tamils who spent about a month on board the Oceanic Viking have been declared refugees, but 13 are still waiting in detention to be resettled.
courtesy...abc.net.au
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