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Australian Border Protection Command have intercepted a boat carrying 43 asylum seekers |
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Australian Border Protection Command have intercepted a boat carrying 43 asylum seekers and three crew in waters off Australia's northwest coast.
Full Text of Press Release:
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Border Protection Command intercepts vessel
ACV Triton, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel west of Ashmore Islands late yesterday.
Initial indications suggest 43 passengers and three crew are on board.
The people will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks and their reasons for travel will be established.
While their nationality is yet to be confirmed, if these asylum seekers are Afghans, the processing suspension introduced by the Government on 9 April 2010 will apply.
The Government yesterday announced a decision to end the suspension on processing claims for Sri Lankan asylum seekers that was introduced on 9 April 2010. This decision was based on a range of country information, including the revised UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Sri Lanka, that confirmed the improving human rights and security situation in Sri Lanka and that displaced people continue to return to their homes.
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