Woomera - Asylum seekers continue protest

PAUL BOYLAN, LAWYER: I think it's their state of mind that has brought these people to do these desperate acts.

We know that desperate people do desperate things and people that are unstable do illogical things.

PHILIP RUDDOCK, IMMIGRATION MINISTER: Behaviour of this sort will not, let me make this very clear, will not produce altered decisions.

ANNE BARKER: There can be few more gruesome forms of protest than sewing one's lips together with needle and thread.

For detainees at the Woomera Detention Centre, the very loss of speech itself speaks volumes about their plight.

PAUL BOYLAN: I see it as a last desperate cry to be heard.

The Australian Government isn't listening to them.

And doesn't understand.

ANNE BARKER: As many as 60 detainees, including children as young as eight, stitched their lips together last week to protest against conditions inside and delays in processing their claims for refugee status.

The reason for the delay -- a Federal Government freeze on decisions for Afghan asylum claims until the situation in their country is more settled.

PHILIP RUDDOCK: In relation to those who are from Afghanistan, both the UNHCR and Australia recognise that in the changed circumstances, those matters need to be reviewed in relation to decisions.

MARISSA BANDHARANGSHI, UNHCR: Obviously, the situation in Afghanistan at the moment is very complicated and is still undergoing a lot of changes.

What that means is that in some circumstances it may not be very possible, very obvious at the moment to determine someone's claim for refugee status.

ANNE BARKER: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has adopted the same procedure as Australia, it too is deferring decisions on Afghan asylum claims but it warns against a blanket approach and argues each case should be decided on individual merit.

MARISSA BANDHARANGSHI: There may be people whose claim for persecution is valid despite the changed circumstances in Afghanistan.

ANNE BARKER: There's no doubt in recent weeks the flood of desperate people fleeing Afghanistan has slowed and many are already returning home from refugee camps across the border.

But refugee advocates say many asylum seekers will still face danger if they're forced to return to their homeland.

PAUL BOYLAN: People that are sent back may be sent to places that no longer exist, with no food or appropriate drinking water, where they really have very little hope of surviving.

DAVID CURTIS, EXEC DIRECTOR, MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES: There's problems with shelter, food distributions, providing enough health care, treating the malnourished children, both severely and moderately malnourished, in feeding centres.

And we're seeing a lot of mothers walking a long way just to bring their children to the feeding centres.

ANNE BARKER: An argument that finds no sympathy with Philip Ruddock.

PHILIP RUDDOCK: The issue of whether or not a person is a refugee turns on whether or not they have a well-founded fear of persecution, and civil disturbance, natural disaster, even internal civil war.

The fact that there are risks from mines and bombing, which might incidentally hurt anybody who is there, including the millions of people who live there now, doesn't necessarily give rise to a legitimate claim of persecution.

PAUL BOYLAN: The whole point of temporary protection visas are so that genuine refugees, genuine asylum seekers, can come to this country and live in our community for a short period of time.

The visas are generally three years.

So that when the situation changes in their countries, they can return there.

ANNE BARKER: For now, though, Afghan asylum seekers can look forward to more of the same -- a long and indefinite stay in detention with no sign of when their refugee claims might be resolved.

Until then, Philip Ruddock is hoping an independent committee to visit Woomera can bring calm inside.

But if this plea from Afghan children on their way to the local school is any guide, the turmoil at Woomera is far from over.

PAUL BOYLAN: Well, they have said that they would prefer to die than be returned to Afghanistan.

All I can do is believe those threats.

Their actions of sewing their lips together certainly makes me think that they are very, very desperate.