Crime - And Punisment !

When a criminal is found guilty and a judge hands down a sentence the term of punishment is for a known period of time, and at that conclusion they return to society.  Unfortunately, Australia has prisoners stranded on the island of Nauru and at a camp in New Guinea who have been convicted of no crime and yet are serving an indefinite sentence that may never end.

These people were victims of the lies told by people smugglers. Vast hordes were fleeing civil wars in many parts of the world and intermingled were " economic migrants " looking for a better way of life.  People smugglers took their money, crammed them on unseaworthy boats and dumped them on the Australian coastline.   They were coming in ever increasing numbers and the Australian government was desperate to halt the flow.   They vowed that from a given date no new arrivals would ever be settled in this country.

The people smugglers convinced many people that this was pure bluff - and some boats continued. These unfortunates were immediately transported off-shore and there they remain to this day, living in squalid camps with poor medical facilities and with the hostility of their hosts.  Their fate stopped new arrivals by sea but should Australia be merciful and allow them to settle in Australia the people smugglers would be triumphant - and continue their trade.

We have made massive efforts to find other countries prepared to settle these unfortunates - with little success. A swap deal with America may lower the numbers, but a stubborn residue remains and many have family members already settled in Australia.  Now it seems that the United Nations is critical of Australia because they believed they had a " deal "  whereby they gave help to settle the swap arrangement with America on the understanding that the residue would be settled in Australia.   They claim that the Australian government has reneged on that promise.

These people in island camps have been stranded there for years - and it can not go on indefinitely.  They are human beings and we are simply treating them as terrorists.   They deserve better - and the world is starting to criticise their inhumane treatment.  We have offered to give them money - and a free trip back to their original countries - but most refuse because they fear repercussions from the regimes in power in their old countries.

Perhaps it is opportune to involve the United Nations in a new approach to this world wide glut of refugees.  There are many islands dotted about the Pacific ocean that are uninhabited.  An offer to purchase one from the country that owns it to form a new refugee nation would be a way that found favour in earlier centuries.   It would need massive help from donor countries, but it could ease pressure in Europe and across the world.   Otherwise, we may eventually have to bite the bullet and settle these people in Australia.