LONDON: Campaigners for refugee rights have called on the Australian government to create an “emergency uplift” visa for Palestinians fleeing the war in Gaza.
The number of Palestinians applying onshore for protection in Australia almost doubled during May compared with the figures for April, the Guardian newspaper reported on Monday. The Home Affairs Department said 119 people from the “Palestinian Authority” applied for protection visas, up from 66 in April, 110 in March, 88 in February and 33 in January.
The Refugee Advice and Casework Service, which is helping some of the Palestinians, said the “absolute humanitarian disaster in Gaza” had caused “an increase in arrivals from Gaza and Palestinians seeking protection.”
It continued: “RACS has long assisted hundreds of Palestinians … due to their history of persecution, discrimination and statelessness, which has only been exacerbated in recent times. When people fear for their lives, they will do whatever it takes to find safety.”
RACS said the majority of refugees who arrive in Australia do not enter the country on refugee visas but on other types, including tourist visas, and then apply for protection when they are already on Australian soil. An emergency protocol is needed to make the application process for protection easier, the organization added.
Though some visitors’ visas can allow those entering the country to bring with them family members who are also fleeing the war, and to remain in Australia for 12 months, holders are not permitted to work, study or access healthcare.
The numbers of onshore protection claims are being driven up by those with shorter, three-month visas whose duration of stay is about to expire, the Guardian reported.
“The tourist visa is not fit for purpose in these circumstances and, really, Australia should be considering an ‘emergency uplift’-type visa, similar to that of the 449 visa, which was used for those Australia evacuated from Afghanistan, where families, communities and individuals can apply for or request of the Australian government at such times of dire need,” RACS said.
The Asylum Seeker Resource Center, another rights organization in Australia, said: “The tourist visa was recommended by the Australian government to help people flee to Australia, and should not restrict that person’s options for what visas they can apply for once they are here.”
