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STORY: GENEVA / AUSTRALIA SRI LANKANS
TRT: 2.15
SOURCE: CH UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH /NATS
DATELINE: 8 JULY 2014, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, external, Palais des Nations
2. Wide shot, press room
4: SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokeswoman OHCHR:
"We are deeply disturbed that Australian authorities on Sunday returned to Sri Lanka 41 people seeking asylum, apparently without adequate screening of their protection claims and needs. International law requires that each and every case be properly and individually examined on its own merits. This is not something that can or should be done hurriedly, remotely and on the high seas, without procedural safeguards and due process guarantees for those involved. Any returns, even from the high seas or in the territorial seas of other states, must be carried out in accordance with international law, under which refoulement and collective expulsions are strictly prohibited. "
5. Cutaway, journalists
6 SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokeswoman OHCHR:
"What they said was that the 41 included mostly Sinhalese and very few Tamils. What we are stressing is that just because they are not Tamils doesn't mean that they may not have a well-founded fear of persecution if they return to Sri Lanka. They are individuals who may also have fear of persecution, for example human rights defenders, journalists who have spoken out against the government. It is unclear whether of the people who were sent back, there were people like this who were included, but that is why you need a process to determine whether they do indeed have a well founded fear of persecution."
7: Cutaway, journalists
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokeswoman OHCHR:
"We welcome the High Court of Australia’s issuance of an interim injunction against the return of 153 other Sri Lankan asylum seekers, reportedly including 37 children, intercepted by Australian authorities. We understand that since their interception more than a week ago, the individuals on this vessel have not been able to make contact with family members or refugee organisations. We hope the matter will be subject to a full judicial review in light of Australia’s obligations under international law."
9. Wide shot, press room
The United Nations Human Rights said it was “deeply disturbed” that Australia has returned 41 asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka without adequate screening of their claims and need for protection.
Human Rights spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva today (8 Jul)that international law requires that “each and every case be examined individually and on its own merits.”
This, she stressed cannot, or should not be done, hurriedly, remotely and on the high seas, without procedural safeguards and due process for those involved.
In a press statement, the Australian authorities said the asylum seekers were mainly Sinhalese and included very few Tamils.
However, the human rights office said people other than Tamils could have a well-founded fear of persecution.
Ms Shamdasani cited human rights defenders and journalists, who have spoken against the government as examples.
The human rights Office also welcomed the Australia High Court's issuing of an interim injunction against the return of another 153 Sri Lankan asylum seekers.
The spokeswoman said her office is hoping the matter would be a subject to a full judicial review in line with Australia's obligations under international law and that the people on the vessel would be allowed to contact family members and refugee organizations.
