Australia has suspended new asylum applications from Sri Lanka and Afghan nationals.

The Australian Government has today (Friday 9 April) issued a suspension of the processing of new asylum applications from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka because of the “evolving circumstances in these two countries” – an action strongly opposed by Amnesty International.

The processing of new asylum claims by Sri Lankan nationals has been suspended for three months, while those by Afghan nationals for a six-month duration.

According to a statement by Senator Chris Evans, Australia’s Immigration & Citizenship Minister, the government “believes that asylum seekers should only be granted the right to live in Australia if they are genuinely in need of protection.”

The Australian Government stated that Sri Lanka is in a period of transition following the end of 20 years of military conflict and the country’s first national election in many years. In addition, the circumstances of many Afghanistan minorities have improved due to increased protection of civil rights.

Evans also spoke of the governmental crackdown on people smuggling: “The changes we’re making send a strong message to the people smugglers that they cannot guarantee a visa outcome for their clients. And a message to those seeking to employ people smugglers that they may find themselves found not to be refugees and returned to their country of origin.”

However, Amnesty International has condemned the news of a blanket suspension, calling the decision “outrageous” and unjustified, while also being “fundamentally inconsistent with Australia’s international obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention”.

It stated that the situation in Sri Lanka still proves dangerous for many, while threats and risk still affect many Afghans in their daily lives.

Sam Zarifi, Asia Pacific Director at Amnesty International, has called upon the Australian Government to reveal the information that it has based these actions on. He said: “Sadly, it appears that the Australian government is now attempting to override the rights of the most vulnerable.

“The government’s rationale for this apparently unilateral decision conflicts with the information Amnesty International and other human rights organisations have received regarding the situation on the ground for many people in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.”