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Poonam N

Highschool Student,

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Should asylum seekers be granted rights in Australia?

At present in Australia, those asylum seekers processed on Christmas Island do not have access to the same legal rights as those on the mainland.

An asylum seeker is a person who has fled their own country and applied for protection as a refugee.

Questions whether or not these asylum seekers should receive the same legal protection as those arriving by plane.

Topics: Rights Social justice refugees
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  • Random Chance 30+

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    Sep 2 2012: Of course.
    It's insanity to think that here it is 2012 and we still don't recognize, and allow rights for all, that we are still so nationalistic we go to war, we rebel, whine and complain about others, we allow starvation, poverty, disease and slavery and the continued pollution and degradation of all environmental systems necessary for human life, comfort, peace and community.

    It is insanity, nothing less although people will discuss with supposed sober, rational, reasonable thinking, as though they are sane.
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    Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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    Aug 30 2012: Australia is aware of the problems faced by the troubled nations and citizens; they should be given the same legal rights as those who fly in.
    If we bear more burdens of the instability in other nations(and we feel the weight of such burdens); then we will begin to take a firmer stand against corruption and human rights abuses in those nations.
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      Poonam N

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      Aug 30 2012: Agreed. i also believe if one country demonstrates this ability to support 'boat' asylum seekers, other countries will choose to follow in their guidance.

      I also believe that if possible, help should be administrated. I think those that say no against boat asylum seekers do so in fear and ignorance.
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    David Hamilton 50+

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    Aug 30 2012: I think so... In fact, if this only applies to a few thousand people, this may even be the type of problem a group of high school students could solve.
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      Poonam N

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      Aug 30 2012: How so, can you elaborate on that?
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        David Hamilton 50+

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        Aug 30 2012: I know it's a bit hippie daisy optimistic... but this is exactly the type of problem young people tend to be very adept at solving. If only a few thousand people are processed on Christmas island, and they have different rights than peolpe processed on the mainlaind... I think one angry, involved local politician, could make enough noise to change things.

        I'm an American, so I don't know how your system works, but here, if a few thousand high school students with teacher support sign some petitions, and stage a protest in the office of the politicians who can actually make a difference... you can shame them into doing the right thing.

        It's really only when you want to help a million people that you need big business, and institutions to help you out. With an issue like this, I bet a few thousand pissed off teenagers, could actually get results. Again though, I know very little about this issue.
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          Poonam N

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          Sep 1 2012: I dont know... I think regardless of the hypothetical media outrage sparked by a handful of protesting school students, the chances of the government being convinced otherwise would be rather minute. Shame? Maybe...but politicians nowadays seem to stay rigid in their actions, and only result in a change in mentality, through self made realisations.

          A few thousand pissed teenagers? It seems that only issues which endanger todays generation, cause the most involvement and participation. That being said, refugees and asylum seekers although a fairly big issue in many countries does not seem to gain enough attention to school aged students.

          Students are also fairly ignorant about the history of these issues, and may only be able to start and uprising, but be incompetent at providing solutions. I think the whole package must be finalised, before any persuasion can be devised.
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