Australia strengthens cooperation with Indonesia on border security
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, will meet his Indonesian counterpart, the Minister for Law and Human Rights, Mr Andi Mattalatta in Jakarta today to discuss migration matters and ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
On his third visit to Indonesia since becoming Immigration Minister, Senator Evans said a strong relationship between Australia and Indonesia was crucial for the effective management of irregular migration in the region.
Senator Evans said Australia, Indonesia and key organisations like the UNHCR and International Organization for Migration were working together to deal with issues in the region involving displaced people, asylum seekers and people smugglers.
The Australian Government has recently announced an additional $2 million in funding for UNHCR operations in Indonesia this year alone. The funding will provide immediate support to help stabilise displaced populations and reduce opportunities for people smugglers to prey upon the vulnerability of these people.
‘The UNHCR plays a crucial role in dealing with the situation of asylum seekers in the region and addressing protection issues,’ Senator Evans said.
‘This new funding will assist the UNHCR’s operations in Indonesia including supporting effective asylum seeker processing in Indonesia and reducing the potential for groups to be exploited by people smugglers.’
Senator Evans will meet Mr Andi Mattalatta and ministers from other countries in the region for the Bali Process ministerial meeting, to be held in Bali in April, to work towards strengthening borders against people smuggling, terrorism and other forms of transnational crime.
‘The global plight of refugees and displaced persons cannot be approached as one or another country’s domestic problem only,’ Senator Evans said.
‘Australia will continue to work with Indonesia and other countries in the region to improve border security and migration management, and at the same time ensure appropriate support for displaced populations and resolution of protracted humanitarian situations.
‘We are committed to encouraging effective regional dialogue among source, host and destination countries to find practical ways to provide assistance and protection to vulnerable people and reduce the potential for exploitation by people smugglers.’
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2009/ce09023.htm
Last update: 03 March 2009 at 08:30 AEST