The Australian government has been accused of breaking international refugee laws for refusing to grant asylum to a group of Sri Lankans who face being persecuted and killed in their country, The Guardian reported.
Australian and Sri Lankan officials confirmed Monday that last month, a boat carrying 41 asylum seekers from Sri Lanka was intercepted off the coast of the Cocos Islands by a vessel from the Operation Sovereign Borders regime, which is led by the Australian military. The passengers were turned away and handed over to the Sri Lankan navy, which then turned them over to the police.
"We were ill-treated mid sea by Australian authorities," said 38-year-old Anthony Fernando, who was on the boat in the hopes of finding a job in Australia, The Age reported. "They did not give food that had not off."
All 41 were charged with attempt to illegally exit the country, which could carry a sentence of two years in prison.
This act, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, comes dangerously close to violating the refugee convention.
"UNHCR is deeply concerned by Australia's announcement that it has returned some 41 asylum seekers to Sri Lanka after having intercepted them at sea," the agency said according to The Guardian. The political party Australian Greens said giving the asylum seekers to Sri Lankan authorities was like "sending the persecuted back to the persecutors."
The accusations against Australia come at a time its government has increased efforts against asylum seekers who try to enter the country by boat.
Another boat carrying 153 Sri Lankans was also denied entry into Australia last month. However, a High Court issued a temporary ban late Monday against any handing over of asylum seekers, including the 153 who are currently being held on an Australian customs ship, according to the Associated Press.
Australia responded to the ruling on Tuesday and said it would not hand over any group of asylum seekers to Sri Lankan officials without three-days' notice.
A High Court judge scheduled a future court date to further resolve the matter.
