4: Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

Question 1

CRSR:

Answer 1

Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

Question 2

Definition of a Refugee:

Answer 2

“Any person outside their country … on account of a well founded fear of persecution”

Question 3

Definition of Non-Refoulement:

Answer 3

Refugees should not be returned to their country or other countries if they would be at risk.

Question 4

The CRSR lacks:

Answer 4

The CRSR lacks an appropriate enforcement mechanism to ensure state compliance.

Question 5

Response 1:

Answer 5

Australia’s Operation Sovereign Borders (Sept 2013)

Question 6

Positive of OSB:

Answer 6

No successful people-smuggling ventures since December 2012

Question 7

Negative 1:

Answer 7

Human rights groups say it has continued the “inhumane” treatment of asylum seekers

Question 8

Negative 2:

Answer 8

Directly violates key features of the CRSR, especially the notion of “non-refoulement”

Question 9

Scott Morrison:

Answer 9

“The Australian government will take the actions to protect Australian sovereignty and stop the boats”

Question 10

Australia’s response represents:

Answer 10

Australia’s response represents a ‘realist’ approach to the refugee crisis, as Australia priorities its national security over international obligations to the CRSR

Question 11

UNHCR:

Answer 11

“People are not supposed to be turned back”

Question 12

UNHCR Response to the CRSR:

Answer 12

2013 - UNHCR officials inspected processing centres at Nauru and Manus Islands

Question 13

Richard Towle:

Answer 13

Facilities “constitute mandatory detention is not compatible with international law”

Question 14

The Economist:

Answer 14

“Young detainees have harmed themselves, and even attempted suicide.”