Asylum Seekers In Australia

This paper will review and analyse the contemporary issue of mandatory detention of asylum seekers in Australia today. This review will provide a historical background of the treatment of these refugees, as well as taking into account the direct and indirect impacts of detention on asylum seekers from both the mental and physical health perspective.

The articles that were reviewed contained a central theme of examining the physical and mental health impacts of mandatory detention on asylum seekers. Skulan (2006) took a history background in examining asylum seekers whilst focusing on politics and International law. Newman (2013) provides an analysis of the consequences to mental health by asylum seekers being kept in mandatory detention as

However despite this human right, peer reviewed articles indicate that there still remains a gap in public policy on the treatment of refugees in mandatory detention centres. Mandatory detention is continually used a means of processing unauthorised entrants to a country, which includes both economic migrants as well as those fleeing persecution (Skulan, 2006). It is interesting to note that for the last two decades, countries have acknowledged that detention is undesirable and may only be resorted to under certain conditions. Despite this, there is a growing number of asylum seekers detained throughout the world, and often domestic law will fail to accord with international

Australia’s laws regulating the reception and processing of asylum seekers is very harsh and contrary to international law, particularly in comparison with small proportion of asylum seekers that arrive in Australia. This is further illustrated by referring to the treatment of asylum seekers under the old ‘White Australia Policy’ (Elder, 2003) prior to and immediately following the second world war until the 1960s. By discussing the White Australia Policy, Skulan (2006) aims to send a clear message that these beliefs are still present in today’s society, which has been considered an ‘invasion’ when discussing the feared foreign population, as discussed by the apparent threat to the national identity of Australia (McMaster, 2002). Skulan (2006) addresses the issue that most asylum seekers flee their countries because of inhumane behaviour, and many seek asylum as a last resort as persecution is a current threat. She presents this idea of people smugglers as part of a vicious cycle in that asylum seekers aren't worried about the detention facilities in Australia as it is their only chance of