Ruqayyah Snyder
The number of refugees who have died at sea on their way to Australia is a contentious issue in Australian politics. While the Australian government states that it has stopped boats from coming to Australia, the rising number of deaths at sea is taking place in a global environment where humanitarian crises are becoming protracted. The government does not keep statistics on deaths related to asylum claims, but the media often cites the figure of 1000 deaths, with the best official estimate being just under 900. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that in 2014, more people than ever took to the seas in search of asylum, with an estimated 350,000 people making the journey and over 4000 lives lost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of refugees who died at sea under Labor | 1200 |
| Number of refugees who died at sea under Coalition governments | 400-760 |
| Number of refugees who died at sea between 2000 and 2007 under Coalition governments | 363 |
| Number of refugees who died at sea between 2008 and July 2013 under Labor | 877 |
| Number of refugees who died at sea between October 2001 and June 2012 | 964 |
| Number of refugees who died at sea between 2009 and 2013 | 600+ |
| Number of refugees who died at sea between 2000 and 2013 | 946 |
| Number of refugees who died at sea between October 2009 and 2013 | 609 |
| Number of refugees who died at sea between 2008 and 2013 | 862 |
| Number of refugees who died in Australian immigration detention on Manus Island and Nauru | 12 |
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What You'll Learn
- Between 2008 and July 2013, 877 asylum seekers died at sea
- The Australian government does not keep statistics on asylum-related deaths
- The UNHCR estimates 4,000 refugees died at sea in 2014
- refugees died in Australian immigration detention on Manus Island and Nauru
- The Tampa Affair: a ship carrying refugees that was refused entry to Australia
Between 2008 and July 2013, 877 asylum seekers died at sea
The issue of refugees and asylum seekers attempting to reach Australia by sea has been a contentious issue in Australian politics for many years. Asylum seeker policy has been a wedge issue, with major political parties arguing that it is a border control problem and a safety issue for those attempting to come to Australia by boat.
The Australian government has argued that tougher policies, such as boat turn-backs and offshore detention, will "'stop the boats'" and reduce the number of people drowning. However, estimating asylum seeker deaths at sea is challenging due to the clandestine nature of people smuggling and the irregular movement of people. There are no clear criteria for counting these deaths, and any "accurate" statistics are unrealistic.
The rising number of deaths at sea occurs in a global context of protracted humanitarian crises. For example, in Jordan, Syrian refugees face difficult decisions, with two-thirds living below the poverty line even in refugee camps. The complex dynamics of refugee movements and the challenges of providing durable solutions are evident in the case of Australia.
The specific period between 2008 and July 2013 highlights the tragic consequences of asylum seeker journeys by sea. The figure of 877 deaths during this period serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of refugee movements and the ongoing need for humane and effective policies to address these global challenges.
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The Australian government does not keep statistics on asylum-related deaths
Estimating asylum seeker deaths at sea is challenging due to the clandestine nature of people smuggling and irregular sea travel. There is also a lack of clear criteria for counting and recording deaths. Despite this, it is estimated that nearly 1,000 asylum seekers died at sea between October 2001 and June 2012, with 605 of these deaths occurring since October 2009. This figure does not include the recent spate of asylum seeker deaths on boats that foundered in Australian waters or en route to Australia.
The Monash University Australian Border Deaths Database is considered the most reliable source of data on asylum-related deaths. It records all known deaths associated with Australia's borders since January 1, 2000. According to the database, between 2008 and July 2013, 877 asylum seekers died while attempting to reach Australia. Of these, 15 committed suicide or died of natural causes in detention centres, and the remaining 862 died trying to reach the Australian mainland.
The number of asylum seeker deaths has been used politically to support stricter border policies. For example, the New York Times reported that more than 600 asylum seekers died en route to Australian territory between 2009 and 2013, and the Morrison government claimed that over 1,200 people drowned during the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years. In 2013, the Abbott government's "Stop the boats" slogan gained popularity, and they implemented Operation Sovereign Borders to clamp down on boat arrivals.
The issue of asylum seeker deaths highlights the challenges Australia faces in balancing border control and the safety of those attempting to reach the country by sea. While Australia has historically been viewed as a leader in resettling refugees, it has also been criticized for its handling of asylum seekers, particularly those arriving by boat.
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The UNHCR estimates 4,000 refugees died at sea in 2014
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 4,000 refugees died at sea in 2014. This figure represents the lives lost among the estimated 350,000 people who took to the seas globally in search of asylum that year. The majority of these refugees embarked on dangerous journeys in the Southeast Asian region, with many fleeing from the Bay of Bengal towards Thailand and Malaysia.
The rising number of deaths at sea is occurring amidst a backdrop of protracted humanitarian crises worldwide. For instance, in Jordan, Syrian refugees are faced with the difficult decision to remain in refugee camps for years, with two-thirds of them living below the poverty line. Similarly, ongoing political violence in the Central African Republic is separating children from their parents, and populations are desperately seeking reunification.
The Mediterranean Sea, particularly the Central Mediterranean route, has also emerged as a deadly migration pathway. Since 2014, the Missing Migrants Project has recorded the deaths of tens of thousands of people in these waters. This route, which spans from North African countries like Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria to Italy and Malta, is characterized by lengthy journeys in unseaworthy and overloaded boats, as well as dangerous smuggling practices.
The UNHCR has consistently warned of the horrific experiences and perils faced by refugees and migrants who embark on these treacherous journeys. Many of them are fleeing conflict, violence, and persecution in their home countries. The organization has urged states to implement safe alternatives to these perilous crossings and to strengthen humanitarian, development, and peace-building efforts to address the underlying challenges driving these migrations.
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12 refugees died in Australian immigration detention on Manus Island and Nauru
The Nauru Regional Processing Centre is an Australian immigration detention facility located on the South Pacific island nation of Nauru and run by the Government of Nauru. The facility was opened in 2001 as part of the Howard government's Pacific Solution. Since 2013, 12 refugees and asylum seekers have died while in Australian immigration detention on Manus Island and Nauru.
The use of immigration detention facilities is part of a policy of mandatory detention in Australia. This policy states that because all detainees attempted to reach Australia by boat, they will never be settled in Australia, even if they are assessed as genuine refugees. The Australian government has argued that tougher policies such as boat turn-backs and offshore detention will "stop the boats" and reduce drownings. However, the rising number of deaths at sea coincides with a global increase in humanitarian crises.
The Nauru facility was suspended in 2008 to fulfil an election promise by the Rudd government but was reopened in 2012 by the Gillard government due to increased maritime arrivals by asylum seekers and pressure from the Abbott opposition. In 2012, Amnesty International visited the camp and described it as "a human rights catastrophe [...] a toxic mix of uncertainty, unlawful detention and inhumane conditions".
In 2016, a deal was made with the United States to resettle people from Manus Island and Nauru. By March 2019, the detention centre on Nauru had closed, but over 100 men from Manus and Nauru were being detained in a hotel in Brisbane, Australia, for medical treatment. In 2021, the Australian High Court ruled that it was unlawful to indefinitely detain people in immigration detention.
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The Tampa Affair: a ship carrying refugees that was refused entry to Australia
In August 2001, the MV Tampa, a Norwegian cargo ship, rescued 433 asylum seekers, predominantly Hazaras of Afghanistan, from a distressed fishing vessel in international waters. The ship was directed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to rescue the asylum seekers. However, when the Tampa entered Australian waters, the Australian government refused permission for the ship to enter Australia's territorial waters. This incident became known as the Tampa Affair.
The Australian government, led by Prime Minister John Howard, introduced the Border Protection Bill, which gave the government the power to refuse entry to people seeking asylum by sea. The government argued that it was necessary to protect Australia's sovereignty and control its borders. They claimed that the number of illegal arrivals in the country was becoming uncontrollable. The Australian troops boarded the ship and instructed Captain Arne Rinnan to move back into international waters, threatening to prosecute him as a people smuggler if he did not comply.
The Tampa Affair triggered a political controversy and a diplomatic dispute between Australia and Norway. The Norwegian government argued that Australia failed to meet its obligations to distressed mariners under international law. The incident also led to criticism of the Australian government's handling of the situation and its implementation of the "Pacific Solution", which involved processing asylum seekers offshore in places like Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.
The crew of the Tampa was recognized for their involvement in the events, receiving awards from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other organizations. Captain Rinnan received honours from Norway for his handling of the difficult incident. The asylum seekers on board the Tampa were eventually transported to Nauru, where they were held in detention camps. Some were later resettled in Australia, while others were accepted by New Zealand.
While the exact number of refugees who have died at sea while trying to reach Australia is unknown, it is estimated that hundreds of lives have been lost. The Australian government and successive governments have argued that tougher policies, such as boat turn-backs and offshore detention, will deter people from attempting the dangerous journey and reduce the number of drownings. However, the rising number of deaths at sea highlights the global humanitarian crises that are forcing people to seek asylum in the first place.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that around 900 refugees have died at sea trying to reach Australia. However, there is no clear data on the exact number of deaths as the government does not keep official records.
The Australian government has implemented tough policies such as boat turn-backs and offshore detention to "stop the boats" and reduce the number of drownings at sea. Under these policies, new asylum seekers are sent to Papua New Guinea or Nauru for assessment and resettlement if they are found to be refugees.
The exact number of refugees detained in offshore processing centres is not clear, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. In 2011-12, 8,092 asylum seekers arrived by boat, and in the previous year, nearly 19,000 refugees arrived.
Yes, there have been several recent incidents of refugee boats capsizing near Australian waters, including the Tampa affair in 2001 and a more recent incident in 2021 where a suspected asylum seeker boat capsized off Christmas Island, killing at least four people.
Australia's refugee policies have had a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of asylum seekers. They face challenges in accessing housing and employment, and there have been reports of deaths in offshore detention centres, with twelve refugees and asylum seekers dying while in Australian immigration detention on Manus Island and Nauru.
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