Australia trials free illegal immigrants

Ruddock says he is 'very mindful of maintaining the family unit as much as possible during the trial'

By staff and wire reports

CANBERRA, Australia -- Australia's government has announced a plan to tone down its stern position on suspected illegal immigrants.

Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock announced a trial scheme on Friday to release people from one of its most remote detention centers.

Ruddock said 25 women and children would be released from a detention center in Woomera, a remote town in the desert of southern Australia, as part of a six-month trial.

The refugees will be allowed to live in houses in Woomera and move freely about the small, isolated community.

The Refugee Council of Australia said the move was an important first step in improving the lot of Australia's illegal immigrants, many of whom have spent many months and sometimes years in detention.

But it may not be enough to resolve problems at the remote center, which has been plagued by riots and breakout attempts by inmates protesting conditions.

"While we feel anything to get children out of detention is welcome, this is not going to solve problems in the center," the council's executive director Margaret Piper said.

Stressful

Australia is targeted every year by hundreds of illegal immigrants, mainly from China and the Middle East, who often arrive on rusting boats having traveled thousands of kilometers.

Once detected, they are sent to one of a handful of detention centers.

"For some of the people in Woomera who come from a male-dominated society it could be very stressful for women to be away from their male partners -- especially in such a strange environment."

Ruddock said the 25 women and children would live in houses but would remain under 24-hour supervision by officers from the Australasian Correctional Services, the private company that runs the detention center.

"Any movement outside the perimeter of the house and yard will be accompanied by an officer," Ruddock said in a statement.

"The houses are all side-by-side and trial participants will be able to visit one another freely."

Australia has a policy of locking up all people who arrive in the country seeking political asylum or refugee status until officials rule on whether they are eligible to stay.

The policy has drawn criticism from human rights groups and the United Nations.