… but I fear it’s not time to break out the champagne yet.
My feeling right now is one of relief at expectations vindicated. The Malaysia deal was immoral even before it was illegal. Today’s High Court decision that effectively prevents the government from proceeding with the Malaysia refugee swapping deal presents at least one occasion where Australian law reveals, or at least, syncs with, a moral underpinning.
I have another feeling of trepidation. What next? Today’s decision could not have been unexpected by Immigration. What irons do they have in the fire for Plan B and Plan C that may yet erode the basic human rights for asylum seekers to have their claims heard in a country that has endorsed the UN Refugee Convention?
Or will the unimaginable occur – that our political parties will clear the decks and engage some creative, compassionate and sustainable collaboration in working out a way forward in dealing with the issues that have led to a world refugee surge? Stranger things have happened!
(Map shows signatories to the UN Refugee Convention in green)
Related Articles
- High Court sinks Malaysia deal (heraldsun.com.au)
- Malaysian swap deal ruled unlawful (news.theage.com.au)
- Court sinks Malaysia asylum deal (theage.com.au)
- Asylum Seekers “at risk of persecution in Malaysia” (godsmustardseed.com)
- Australian High Court rules Australia cannot send asylum seekers to Malaysia – Washington Post (news.google.com)
Wondering Pilgrim 