Fed: Economist publishes critical article on detention policy

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Fed: Economist publishes critical article on detention policy

CANBERRA, April 29 AAP - An influential London-based magazine today published an articlecritical of Australia's policy of locking up asylum seekers in remote desert camps.

The Economist said Australia had a minimal influx of asylum seekers compared with Europeand elsewhere.

"In the year to June 2001, just over 4,000 boat people arrived, about half the numberauthorities expected," it said.

"Yet Australia is the only rich country that locks up most of its asylum seekers forlengthy periods.

"The policy that won (Prime Minister John) Howard an election with an appeal to a xenophobicstreak in Australians has now left his government with problems.

"The most embarrassing one has come from an inquiry being conducted by the Senate ...

indicating that the government fabricated claims days before the November election thatasylum seekers on a boat off the north-west coast had threatened to throw their childrenoverboard unless Australia took them in."

The Economist said the government released selected photographs to back its claims at the time.

"Mr Howard himself told voters such people should not be allowed into Australia," it said.

But a videotape of the incident and evidence from navy officers showed no threats weremade, the magazine said.

It also highlighted criticism by church leaders, human rights groups, the media andthe government's own advisory board of conditions in detention camps in Woomera and Curtinand the impact of incarceration on 480 detained children.

Critics of the policy have called on the government to end mandatory detention, speedup claims processing and release most asylum seekers into the community on temporary visas.

"Such calls will go nowhere as long as Mr Howard believes voters support his stand,regardless of its damage to Australia's human rights record."

AAP jph/daw/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: BOAT ECONOMIST