Fed: Refugee groups say Woomera actions undermine support

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2000
Fed: Refugee groups say Woomera actions undermine support

CANBERRA, Aug 29 AAP - Violent action by asylum-seekers at the Woomera detention centre
would undermine community support for other refugees, refugee advocates said today.

Staff at the South Australian centre yesterday used water cannons and tear gas to subdue
rioters who stoned buildings, broke down fences, set fires and threw rocks.

The Australian Refugee Association said it was important for the community to realise
the rioters' applications for asylum had been rejected and they were facing deportation.

"They are certainly causing a lot of problems for other people who do get accepted
as refugees and who depend upon the support of the community," spokesman Kevin Liston
told the ABC.

He appealed to the community not to turn its back on genuine refugees because of the
actions of a few.

"The people who are released from Woomera and the other detention centres on temporary
protection visas rely on the support of the community enormously in order to get some
help to settle," he said.

"They don't have access to the usual range of Commonwealth Government services which
are available to other refugees and they depend upon the support networks ... in the cities
they are released to.

"Obviously activity like this is going to alienate many people."

AAP kmh/gmw/

KEYWORD: BOAT WOOMERA SUPPORT

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