Are Assylum Seekers Illegal Immigrants?
Australia has developed a strange sense of a paranoia when it comes to asylum seekers, refugees and ‘boat people;’ news reports play intense music and report each boat arrival as it is an invading warship, and with some politicians eager to capitalise on the fear-inspired misinformation, it is time to take a quick look at the facts behind the asylum seeker issue in an attempt to help everyone understand what is really going on. Firstly, let us take a look at the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee. Often, these two terms are used interchangeably and incorrectly, and this doesn’t always help us to understand the full picture. An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking international protection but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined. In contrast, a refugee is someone whose claim for refugee status has been officially recognised under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of refugees. According to the United Nations High Commission For refugees (U
