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Human rights lawyers have again been refused visas for entry to Nauru. "We received a terse three line typed letter saying that our application is 'not approved'", says Simon Rice, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and a visa applicant. Mr Rice said this is the second time members of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights have applied for visas in an attempt to give independent legal advice to the asylum seekers in Nauru - something the asylum seekers would have received as a matter of course in Australia. "Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has assembled a team of experienced refugee lawyers, willing to give up their time and income to go as volunteers to Nauru. "Funds and support in kind have been committed from a range of corporate, private and philanthropic sources. "But in April this year the Government of Nauru refused the visas, saying the work should be done by Nauruan lawyers. "However, the very few lawyers in Nauru do not have the expertise. Our second visa application was actually sponsored by a Nauruan lawyer, but still we were refused. "If the detainees in Nauru had not been diverted from Australia they would have received independent advice for their refugee claims here. "Australian Lawyers for Human Rights simply wants to ensure that the Australian Government's offshore detention strategy does not deprive people of their right to fair process and justice" says Mr Rice. Mr Rice said the Australian Government has shown no interest in the proposal, even though this is the very service provided in on-shore detention centres to asylum seekers they haven't turned away "As long as the Government pursues its strategy of diverting asylum seekers from Australia's protection, lawyers will work to ensure that independent advice is available. "Nauru, Manus and Christmas Island are all no-go zones for natural justice and fundamental freedoms. A large number of lawyers are committed to changing that" he says. Michel Gabaudan, the UNHCR Regional Representative, has previously confirmed UNHCR's support for asylum seekers' access to independent advice. Despite being refused visas, human rights lawyers have made extensive written submissions to the UNHCR regarding the claims of asylum seekers in Nauru. The UNHCR has agreed to take account of any relevant material which will assist an assessment of refugee status. Rice and his fellow human rights lawyers have put on the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights website some 'do it yourself' legal resources, including Federal Court forms and letters to Mr Ruddock, for asylum seekers in detention in Australia: www.alhr.asn.au . Contact:Simon Rice OAM (02) 9399 6153 or 0408 088 024 This page last updated 4th May 2004 |