Aussie PM stands firm on refugee detention

Prime minister Howard says Australia doesn't want to become an easy touch for illegal immigrants

CANBERRA, Australia -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard has ruled out relaxing government policy of keeping illegal immigrants in remote detention camps following a parliamentary report which sharply criticized conditions in the centers.

Howard said easing Australia's mandatory detention policy by putting a proposed 14-week limit on the time spent detained, or releasing low-risk asylum seekers, would be an invitation to more people to come to Australia.

There has been a surge in the number of illegal immigrants arriving in Australia, with nearly 8000 coming in the past 18 months.

The vast majority of arrivals make a claim for asylum in Australia, citing political persecution, economic stress or environmental disaster in their home countries.

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"The worst thing Australia could do is to send a signal to would-be illegal immigrants coming to this country that we are an easy touch," Howard told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio.

The policy of locking up asylum seekers while their refugee claims are processed has had bipartisan support in Australia since the detention camps were first set up in 1994 to control the swell of illegal immigrants.

However asylum seekers can be held in these camps for months or even years while their applications are processed and appeals considered -- a practise which has sparked criticism from human rights groups and church organizations.

Long delays lead to trouble

The length of stay and conditions have been cited as key factors behind a recent surge in violence, escapes and riots at the detention facilities.

A parliamentary committee, which visited the six largest camps early this year, released a report on Monday saying it was shocked at the conditions in the camps and the depth of despair of many detainees.

It recommended the government ease its current policy, but did not suggest an end to the practise of mandatory detention.

The committee urged the government to put a 14-week limit on the length of stay and release low-risk asylum seekers, including women and children, into the community.

"Saying you can sit on your hands and after 14 weeks you can be sure of freedom is not the way to go. The government will definitely not go down that path," Howard said. "It is far better to dissuade people from coming here in the first place."

People smugglers more active

The government argues that 80 percent of asylum seekers are processed within 14 weeks of arrival, and those who stay for years cause their own delays by appealing rejected claims. More than 90 percent of detainees are granted asylum.

The surge in the number of people entering Australia illegally in the past two years is largely blamed on the involvement of people-smuggling gangs which charge up to $5000 to deliver a person to Australian shores.

Leader of the oppostion Labor party Kim Beazley said on Tuesday illegal immigrants had to be apprehended on arrival but suggested segregating troublemakers in high-security areas.

Reuters contributed to this report.