subject: Asylum Seekers [print this page] Asylum Seekers Asylum Seekers
Debt Relief Agency
Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers were in the news today as dozens of asylum seekers were feared dead in a boating accident off the coast of Australia (Oz). Who are asylum seekers and what do they want? I think these questions are pertinent considering the tragedy which is unfolding off the coast of the land down under.
The question of asylum seekers is also elementary, as some of our younger generation (some would say "not so bright" generation) might confuse the term "asylum seekers" with the rock band "Asylum". Therefore, what is an asylum seeker? The political right of asylum ("political asylum") is an ancient juridical procedure and notion as well. Under political asylum, a person or group of peoples persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in their own country may be protected by another government or sovereign authority, a foreign country, or even a Church sanctuary.
What has happened this week off the coast of Australia is this: Many asylum seekers were dead or in deep sleep after a boat accident.Witnesses from both Australia and as far away as New Zealand described people drowning and others smashed against floating debris after their boat broke up against the cliffs off the coast of western Australia.The asylum seekers tragedy continued for some time and it was witnesses that people actually drowned in plain site of the witnesses. The asylum seekers were thrashed against the rocks.
This brings to the light the issue of asylum seekers not only in Australia, but worldwide as well. People are people so why should it be that you and I should get along so awfully? Such are the lyrics to one quaint pop song of a bygone era, but it speaks the very good point - asylum seekers are people like you and me. They have rights, and they shouldn't need to be smashed against some rocks to get publicity for their plight.
The United Nations or at least NATO should do a better job of providing political asylum in their borders for all asylum seekers no matter their their country of origin.
