Amnesty says Australia holds one of the worst records among the developed nations in the way it treated asylum seekers.

 

[Dr. Graham Thom, National Refugee Coordinator, Amnesty Int’l.]:

"Amnesty International expects any incoming government to treat all asylum seekers equally whether they arrive by air or by boat… They shouldn't be taken to remote detention centers, we shouldn't be locking up children, we should be treating all refugees and asylum seekers in line with our international obligations and we should be providing protection to those who prove they are genuine refugees."

 

When asylum seekers arrive in Australia illegally by boat, they are kept in detention centers until their claims are processed.

 

One family from Afghanistan was kept in a detention center until they were granted refugee status.

 

[Najeeba Wazefadost, Refugee]:

"Those people, those refugees that are risking their lives to come through that big Pacific Ocean is not just for fun or just not to come and see these buildings. I am sure their lives are at risk. I am sure that their lives have been at risk, that they have to go through that big major risk of coming through that big ocean and risking their lives. Otherwise they wouldn't have done that."

 

Experts say the issue is a hot topic for the upcoming election.

 

[Penelope Mathew, Professor, Australian National University]:

"It is I think a distraction because it makes it look as though politicians doing something good for Australian citizens, you know, we are keeping you safe, we are controlling borders."

 

The coalition's leader, Tony Abbott, wants to reopen a detention center in the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru.

 

Last month, Prime Minister Julia Gillard unveiled a new policy aimed at calming voter fears about rising numbers of asylum seekers, which includes a possible East Timor processing center.

 

Currently, there are over four thousand unauthorized arrivals being held in detention in Australia.