A PLEA FOR A MORE CONSIDERED TREATMENT FOR VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS CURRENTLY IN AUSTRALIAN DETENTION CENTRES.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN VIETNAM – WHY ARE THEY FLEEING?
Many Catholics in Vietnam are being persecuted simply because they practise their faith. Most Vietnamese asylum seekers arriving in Australia now are Catholics, fleeing persecution in Vietnam. About 85% of the Vietnamese detainees in the Darwin Centres are from Nghe An Province, where quite recently there have been abductions and arrests. In this Province (of Central Vietnam) the authorities are especially prejudiced against Catholics. The Bishop of Vinh, one of the dioceses in this Province, the priests and parishioners from My Yen and Con Cuong, both parishes in Diocese of Vinh, have been and are being harassed. There have been beatings, accusations of crimes that they have not done and unjust detentions in jail. Children are prevented from being involved in Christian youth groups. We do know there was a particularly violent crackdown on Catholics in Nghe An Province on September 4. And we are told that on this occasion, it was families and friends back home, of Vietnamese asylum seekers here in Australia that were targeted. Vietnamese priests and Catholics here in Australia are in frequent contact with friends and relatives in Vietnam and are kept abreast of the real life situation there. The widely respected London based weekly "The Tablet" reported on September 14 as follows: "Crackdown on Catholics in Vietnam: Several dozen Catholics were arrested and, according to a local priest, around 40 people were severely wounded, when police and soldiers used grenades, tear gas and batons to disperse a peaceful rally in Nghe An Province on 4 September." (Page 30)

And the facts are well documented. For example, Fides Agency, the Vatican-based information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies, reported on October 9 that 63 Christian pastors and other religious leaders are among those detained in four prison camps in Vietnam. It in turn quoted a report sent by the International Christian Concern (ICC) organization, that the detained face various sentences ranging from 5 - 18 years and are subjected to forced labour for 14 hours a day. The ICC monitors "religious freedom and the plight of Christians in the world."

There is ample documentation that Catholics and other Christians are being singled out and persecuted in Vietnam. In desperation some have sought asylum and risked their lives in coming to Australia by boat. Some have been here for about a year and others arrived after the 13 August. These detainees did not arrived here as tourists nor did they overstay any visa.

Catholics subject to such aggression by government authorities initially seek refuge by leaving the area and staying with relatives in distant parts of the country. In the worst case scenario they try to leave the country. Whole families are affected by the violent attacks of the authorities. They can be publicly smeared on state-run media and accused of obstructing justice simply because they have been vocal in defending their human rights, and their rights to freely practice their faith. They are then accused of leading an uprising because they publicly and vocally challenge the authority, this leads to being accused of treason.

We are hearing examples of Vietnamese Catholics being caught while trying to flee the country, badly beaten and jailed. Earlier this year, a boatload of Vietnamese asylum seekers was caught by the authorities trying to leave the country: all were beaten – two to death, and the rest then imprisoned, where two more died.

What does this say about peoples' fundamental right to seek asylum, be offered protection, in accordance with international law?

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS IN AUSTRALIA?

None of the asylum seekers that arrived after August 13, 2013 are allowed to lodge their claim. They are simply "screened out", without even having a chance to explain their situation.

Even more callously, an official delegation from Vietnam, believed to be police or border security officials, were allowed into Australian detention centres to interview Vietnamese people held there. The Vietnamese officials were given access to the asylum seekers' records. The asylum seekers being interviewed were not told who these Vietnamese officials were or why they were here. They were locked in interrogation rooms with young children for up to four hours, some accused of treason, and told they would be sent home. Australian officials have also since told some of them they will be returned to Vietnam against their will, and will be given 72 hours notice prior to deportation. We understand this has happened to about 100 Vietnamese detained at Yongah Hill, and about 15 at Wickham Point .

So these asylum seekers have not been allowed to lodge a claim for asylum. They have effectively been "screened out" without even having a chance to explain their situation. And what enormous ignorance of the harsh repercussions back in Vietnam to families and relatives of detainees here does this show on the part of Australian Authorities that they allow Vietnamese Government agencies to have access to these asylum seekers. Our detainees have been terrified by the mindlessness of this process and by their fear of the flow-on effects back in Vietnam.

Conclusion: We urge the Australian Government and the Department of Immigration to treat Vietnamese Asylum Seekers who have arrived by boat as prima facie genuine refugees in accordance with international law and to process speedily and compassionately their applications to remain in Australia.    

Malcolm Fyfe MSC, for the diocese of Darwin.