Socialists condemn deportations of Kosovars
The Democratic Socialist Party (DSP) has added its voice to those of refugee advocates demanding that the 500 Kosovar refugees still in Australia be allowed to stay for as long as they wish.
The DSP's campaigns director, Peter Boyle, on April 8 condemned plans by immigration officials to deport up to 259 refugees, most of whom wish to stay in the country and fear what may happen to them on return to their still-volatile homeland.
Boyle described the government's haste to end the Kosovars' temporary safe haven status as evidence of a "fortress Australia mentality" and a "vindictive desire to tear people away from the idea that they have rights".
Boyle said that the refugees should be allowed to apply for protection visas, so they can stay permanently if they wish. At present, those who receive a temporary safe haven visa can apply for a protection visa only if they receive the minister's permission to do so.
On April 7, the federal Coailiton government gave the High Court an undertaking that it would not deport a group of 67 Kosovars before their appeal to the High Court was ruled upon on April 10. The 67 are from the east Kosova area, which is still under Serbian rule.
The undertaking does not prevent immigration officials from trying to deport the other 192 on its list. Of the remainder, 129 have had their temporary visas extended, mainly for medical reasons, 110 have been allowed to apply for protection visas and three have been permitted to apply for partner visas. The government has already deported 3462 Kosovar refugees.
BY SEAN HEALY