Australia backs tighter borders
Apr 30th 2003, 3:33 am
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Australia backs tighter borders
Australia backs tighter borders
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/2985259.stm
Australia has urged governments in Asia to tighten border controls to curb
terrorist attacks like the Bali bombing.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer made the call in an address
to delegates from more than 30 Asian and Pacific countries meeting in Bali
for a conference on people smuggling.
"Now more than ever there is a need for tightened border security and
strengthened law enforcement procedures," he said.
The conference, which is being co-hosted by Indonesia and Australia, is
due to discuss the problem of human trafficking and illegal migration.
The issue was highlighted earlier this month, when two boats carrying
Vietnamese migrants were found on the shores of Indonesia.
One was seized and its occupants taken into custody, while the other was
re-fuelled and sent on its way. Its current location is unknown but both
boats were trying to reach Australia.
The United Nations refugee body urged the conference on Tuesday to make
sure that measures to combat people smuggling did not damage the human
rights of refugees.
In a statement to the Bali meeting, the UNHCR stressed "the importance of
ensuring that migration management tools... are compatible with the goal
of providing international protection to refugees."
'Cold-hearted enterprises'
Australia has introduced its own tough immigration laws, and is keen for
other countries in the region to follow suit.
Indonesia seems eager to show willing, says the BBC's Jakarta
correspondent, Rachel Harvey.
The country's foreign minister, Hassan Wirayuda, condemned
people-smuggling rings as "cold-hearted and lucrative enterprises", which
were often linked to the illicit trade of arms and drugs.
Mr Wirayuda promised delegates that his government would fulfil its
promise to outlaw people smuggling and human trafficking.
But that could be easier said than done, our correspondent says.
With its complex network of islands and porous borders, Indonesia has
become a favoured transit point for illegal migrants.
Indonesia was not, however, ready to agree with Australia over the US-led
war on Iraq.
Mr Wirayuda also used his opening speech to the conference to criticise
Australia, the US and Britain over their decision to invade Iraq without
United Nations backing.
"Unfortunately, and much to our disappointment, we meet today under the
shadow of surging unilateralism," Mr Wirayuda said.
In some of the strongest comments yet by staunchly anti-war Indonesia, Mr
Wirayuda said: "The central role of the UN in conflict resolution has been
totally disregarded."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/2985259.stm
Australia has urged governments in Asia to tighten border controls to curb
terrorist attacks like the Bali bombing.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer made the call in an address
to delegates from more than 30 Asian and Pacific countries meeting in Bali
for a conference on people smuggling.
"Now more than ever there is a need for tightened border security and
strengthened law enforcement procedures," he said.
The conference, which is being co-hosted by Indonesia and Australia, is
due to discuss the problem of human trafficking and illegal migration.
The issue was highlighted earlier this month, when two boats carrying
Vietnamese migrants were found on the shores of Indonesia.
One was seized and its occupants taken into custody, while the other was
re-fuelled and sent on its way. Its current location is unknown but both
boats were trying to reach Australia.
The United Nations refugee body urged the conference on Tuesday to make
sure that measures to combat people smuggling did not damage the human
rights of refugees.
In a statement to the Bali meeting, the UNHCR stressed "the importance of
ensuring that migration management tools... are compatible with the goal
of providing international protection to refugees."
'Cold-hearted enterprises'
Australia has introduced its own tough immigration laws, and is keen for
other countries in the region to follow suit.
Indonesia seems eager to show willing, says the BBC's Jakarta
correspondent, Rachel Harvey.
The country's foreign minister, Hassan Wirayuda, condemned
people-smuggling rings as "cold-hearted and lucrative enterprises", which
were often linked to the illicit trade of arms and drugs.
Mr Wirayuda promised delegates that his government would fulfil its
promise to outlaw people smuggling and human trafficking.
But that could be easier said than done, our correspondent says.
With its complex network of islands and porous borders, Indonesia has
become a favoured transit point for illegal migrants.
Indonesia was not, however, ready to agree with Australia over the US-led
war on Iraq.
Mr Wirayuda also used his opening speech to the conference to criticise
Australia, the US and Britain over their decision to invade Iraq without
United Nations backing.
"Unfortunately, and much to our disappointment, we meet today under the
shadow of surging unilateralism," Mr Wirayuda said.
In some of the strongest comments yet by staunchly anti-war Indonesia, Mr
Wirayuda said: "The central role of the UN in conflict resolution has been
totally disregarded."
