Leslie Massey
Australia has historically been regarded as a global leader in refugee resettlement, with over 870,000 refugees resettled since World War II. However, the country's asylum policies have recently come under intense scrutiny, particularly regarding the number of refugees who have drowned while attempting to reach Australia by boat. Estimating asylum seeker deaths at sea is challenging due to the clandestine nature of people smuggling and irregular sea travel. While there are varying estimates, it is believed that hundreds, if not over a thousand, refugees have drowned while attempting the dangerous journey to Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia | Between 900 (2008-July 2013) and 1,200 (2000-July 2013) |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia under Labor | Around 1,100 (2007-September 2013) |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia (2009-2013) | More than 600 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia (2000-December 2013) | Around 1,900 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia (1998-December 2013) | Between 1,550 and 1,560 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia in October 2001 | 353 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia in November 2014 | 97 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia in October 2014 | 27 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia in November 2013 | 33 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia in August 2014 | 105 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia in June 2014 | 4 |
| Number of refugees drowned coming to Australia in June 2014 | 90 |
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What You'll Learn
Australian government's role in refugee drownings
Australia has historically been regarded as a global leader in refugee resettlement, having resettled more than 870,000 refugees since World War II. However, the country has also been criticized for its offshore detention policies and its handling of asylum seekers arriving by boat. The Australian government has argued that tougher policies, such as boat turn-backs and offshore detention, will deter people from attempting the dangerous journey by boat and reduce the number of drownings.
The exact number of refugees who have drowned while attempting to reach Australia is difficult to determine due to the clandestine nature of people smuggling and irregular sea travel. According to the New York Times, more than 600 asylum seekers died en route to Australia between 2009 and 2013. The Morrison government in 2019 put the number at 1,200 during the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years. The Australian Border Deaths Database, maintained by Monash University, estimates that around 900 asylum seekers drowned between 2008 and July 2013, while other estimates range from 1,100 to 1,900 deaths during the same period.
There have been allegations that the Australian government deliberately allowed the drownings of 353 refugees, mainly women and children, in 2001. The refugees were from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Algeria, fleeing political persecution and seeking asylum in Australia. Evidence suggests that the drownings occurred during an anti-refugee scare campaign orchestrated by Prime Minister John Howard to improve his chances in the upcoming federal election. Despite submissions and evidence contradicting the government's claims, no inquiry has been conducted, and no one has been held politically accountable for the tragedy.
In recent years, the Australian government has continued to implement stricter policies to deter asylum seekers from arriving by boat. In 2013, Prime Minister Rudd announced that anyone arriving in Australia by boat without a visa would not be eligible for asylum. Instead, they would be sent to Papua New Guinea for processing and would lose the right to seek asylum in Australia. This policy, known as the Regional Settlement Agreement, was praised by the Liberal Party but criticized by refugee advocates and human rights organizations.
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Refugee boats from Indonesia
Australia has historically been viewed as a leader in refugee resettlement, with more than 870,000 refugees resettled since World War II. However, the country has also been criticised for its tough asylum policies and lack of durable solutions for people seeking protection, especially those arriving by boat. The issue of asylum has been a contentious wedge issue in Australian politics, with the major parties framing it as a border control problem and a concern for the safety of those arriving by sea.
Indonesia has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, and is therefore not obligated to permanently resettle refugees. Despite this, the country typically allows refugees to enter and provides temporary support such as shelter, food, and a small stipend. In recent years, Indonesia's Aceh Province, a conservative region known for its Sharia law, has been a safe haven for Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar. However, in November 2023, the arrival of a third boat carrying around 250 refugees sparked accusations of heartlessness and raised questions about Indonesia's capacity to handle a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Locals paraded the refugees back to their boat, and in protest, some jumped into the water and swam to shore.
The first recorded instance of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by unauthorised boat occurred in April 1976, with an influx of "Vietnamese boat people" fleeing South Vietnam after the Communist Party victory of 1975. In 1999, during the Kosovo War, the Australian government conducted Operation Safe Haven, granting temporary asylum to 4000 Kosovo Albanians. This marked a shift in policy towards offering temporary asylum instead of permanent settlement.
The issue of refugee boats from Indonesia to Australia has been a source of tension and controversy. In October 2001, a boat carrying Iraqi, Afghan, Palestinian, and Algerian refugees sank in the Indian Ocean between Indonesia and Australia's Christmas Island, resulting in the deaths of 353 people, including 146 children. Evidence suggests that the Australian government's anti-refugee campaign and failure to provide resources or conduct a rescue operation may have contributed to the tragedy.
Estimates of the number of refugee drownings en route to Australia vary, with the Australian Border Deaths Database recording around 1900 deaths between 2000 and December 2013, of which approximately 1100 occurred during the Labor government. The Morrison government in 2019 stated that at least 1200 people drowned during the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years.
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Australia's hard line on immigration
Australia's stance on immigration has been a contentious issue for decades. The country has been historically viewed as a world leader in resettling refugees, with more than 870,000 refugees resettled since World War II. However, Australia's approach to asylum seekers and human rights has been criticised for its harshness, particularly in relation to mandatory detention and offshore processing.
In 2001, the Tampa Crisis highlighted the Australian government's hard-line approach to immigration. During this incident, the Australian government refused entry to a Norwegian freighter carrying 433 Afghan asylum seekers rescued at sea. This event indicated a strengthening of hard-line policies after the events of 9/11, with the government bolstering its narrative of securitisation to prevent terrorist attacks.
The Australian government has also been accused of deliberately allowing the drowning of 353 refugees, mainly women and children, in 2001. The boat, designated as SIEV X, was overcrowded and sank in the Indian Ocean between Indonesia and Australia's Christmas Island. Evidence suggests that the drownings were the result of deliberate political decisions made by Prime Minister John Howard and his government, who were running an unprecedented anti-refugee scare campaign at the time.
In 2013, Prime Minister Rudd announced that anyone who arrived in Australia by boat without a visa would not be eligible for asylum. This policy, known as the Regional Settlement Agreement, redirected asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea, where they would lose any right to seek asylum in Australia. This approach was justified as a way to prevent drownings and reduce the number of people attempting the dangerous journey by boat. However, human rights advocates have criticised these tough policies as inhumane and detrimental to Australia's reputation as a signatory to the Refugee Convention.
The harsh conditions in detention centres, such as Manus Island and Nauru, have also been a subject of controversy. There have been reports of self-immolation, heart attacks, and inadequate medical treatment, resulting in the death of asylum seekers. The Australian government has defended its policies as crucial to border security and public safety, arguing that tough measures are necessary to deter illegal immigration and protect Australia's sovereignty.
In recent years, public controversies involving prominent figures like Novak Djokovic and Katie Hopkins have once again brought attention to Australia's hard-line immigration policies and the cruel detention conditions faced by refugees.
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Asylum seekers and mental health
The journey of asylum seekers to Australia has been marked by tragedies at sea, with several refugees drowning. Estimating asylum seeker deaths at sea is challenging due to the clandestine nature of people smuggling and irregular sea travel. While figures vary, it is estimated that between 2000 and 2013, around 1900 people died en route to Australia by boat, with approximately 1100 of these deaths occurring under the Labor government. The issue of asylum and refugee policy is highly contentious in Australian politics, with successive governments implementing tougher policies such as boat turn-backs and offshore detention to "stop the boats."
Amidst these perils, the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees has emerged as a critical concern. Research indicates that asylum seekers and refugees face unique challenges related to their mental health, with higher rates of mental health problems compared to the local population. The vulnerability to mental health issues is linked to pre-migration experiences, such as war trauma, and post-migration conditions, including family separation, complex asylum procedures, and poor housing.
Asylum seekers are particularly susceptible to developing mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Their risk factors are exacerbated by uncertain immigration status, prolonged detention, unemployment, and the absence of familial support. The process of seeking asylum can be intricate and daunting, and a rejected application can lead to destitution and the threat of detention. These factors collectively pose significant challenges for mental health services and professionals.
To address these challenges, cultural competency training, the availability of interpreters, and the involvement of cultural brokers are essential. Therapeutic teams should provide comprehensive information about mental health resources, local refugee community organizations, legal support, and guidance on accessing essential services such as employment, education, and housing. Training in cultural awareness and competency should be mandatory for all health professionals to enable them to effectively serve diverse populations and navigate cultural differences and similarities.
The model of service delivery for refugees and asylum seekers varies depending on the host country's income level and political climate. In low-income countries, the focus is on capacity-building, staff training, and collaboration with voluntary organizations. High-income countries face the additional challenge of adapting their service models to accommodate refugee mental health needs, despite a potentially hostile political environment. The development of specialized models of service delivery, including community-based approaches, is crucial for prevention, early intervention, and supporting refugees' adjustment to life in their new country.
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Australia's resettlement of refugees
Australia has historically been considered a world leader in refugee resettlement, having resettled more than 870,000 refugees since World War II. However, the country has also been criticised for its tough asylum policies and for not providing durable solutions for people seeking protection, especially those who arrive by boat. The issue of asylum has been a contentious one in Australian politics, with successive governments arguing for tougher policies such as boat turn-backs and offshore detention to "stop the boats" and prevent drownings.
Estimating the number of refugees who have drowned attempting to reach Australia is challenging due to the clandestine nature of people smuggling and irregular sea movements. Various sources provide different estimates, but it is believed that between 900 and 1,200 asylum seekers drowned between 2008 and July 2013. The Australian Border Deaths Database estimates that between 2000 and December 2013, there were around 1,900 deaths, of which approximately 1,138 occurred during the Labor government. An activist-run website, SIEVX.com, claims that between 1998 and December 2013, there were between 1,550 and 1,560 confirmed and probable drowning deaths, with around 1,124 occurring during the Labor government.
The sinking of a vessel known as SIEV X in 2001 resulted in the deaths of 353 refugees, mainly women and children, and is considered the worst maritime disaster in Australian history. Evidence suggests that the Australian government may have been directly implicated in these deaths due to its anti-refugee campaign aimed at winning the November 2001 general election. Despite these allegations, no inquiry into the tragedy has been conducted, and no one has been held politically accountable.
In July 2013, then-Prime Minister Rudd announced that anyone arriving in Australia by boat without a visa would not be eligible for asylum. The Regional Settlement Agreement was drafted in cooperation with Papua New Guinea, stating that new asylum seekers would be sent to PNG and granted asylum there, losing their right to seek asylum in Australia. This policy was intended to be temporary and reviewed annually, with Rudd stating that Australians had "had enough of seeing people drowning in the waters to our north."
Resettlement to Australia is a separate process from Refugee Status Determination (RSD). The UNHCR's Representation in Canberra does not assist in resettlement to Australia, and refugees should contact their local UNHCR office to discuss resettlement options. Due to the limited number of resettlement places available annually, resettlement is only an option for a small number of refugees, and recognition of refugee status does not guarantee referral for resettlement.
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Frequently asked questions
Estimating asylum seeker deaths at sea is a difficult and imprecise exercise. There are no clear criteria as to who is counted, how they are counted and where they died. However, the best available data puts the number of refugee drownings under Labor at around 1100. The New York Times reported that more than 600 asylum seekers had died en route to Australian territory between 2009 and 2013. Rights groups have said that conditions in refugee camps are totally inadequate, citing poor hygiene, cramped conditions, unrelenting heat, and a lack of facilities.
The Australian government has implemented tough new policies to "stop the boats". In July 2013, Rudd announced that anyone who arrived in Australia by boat without a visa would not be eligible for asylum. Instead, they are sent to an offshore processing centre.
Hundreds have died making the dangerous journey. The boats are often overcrowded, and people are travelling without valid visas. There is also a lack of clear information as to the boats' whereabouts, and no ships or aircraft are in a position to mount a rescue.
