Australia has finalized a deportation deal with Nauru, amounting to $267 million, equivalent to ₹2,216 crore. This agreement mandates Nauru to deport Australian non-visa holders. Upon the arrival of the first batch of immigrants, Nauru will receive ₹2,216 crore. Subsequently, it will be provided with ₹381 crore annually for resettlement purposes.
This decision by Australia has ignited protests centered around human rights concerns. Human rights groups have voiced worries, suggesting that the agreement could potentially lead to mass deportations, thereby violating international law.
Nauru, situated in the South Pacific Ocean, is a small island nation with a land area of just 21 square kilometers. It ranks as the third smallest country globally, surpassing only Vatican City and Monaco.
Senator David Shoebridge from the Greens Party has criticized the government’s actions, stating that it is compelling Australia’s smaller neighbors to become 21st-century prison colonies.
Furthermore, violent criminals will also be subject to deportation under this agreement. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has clarified that those without legal rights to reside in Australia will be accommodated in Nauru for an extended period, ensuring they receive appropriate treatment. A prior agreement in February enabled Australia to return three violent offenders to Nauru. Minister Burke emphasized that anyone lacking a valid visa must leave the country.
In 2023, a ruling by the Australian High Court overturned the government’s policy of indefinite detention for immigrants who could neither obtain visas nor be deported if they faced persecution or harm in their home countries.
The agreement has also drawn criticism from Jana Favero, the Deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, who condemned the deal, describing it as discriminatory, shameful, and dangerous. She noted that the agreement runs counter to a national sentiment of unity and fearlessness, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, instead of demonstrating leadership, targeting migrants and refugees, essentially punishing some based on their place of birth.