Tamils welcome boat policy shift

The Australian Tamil Congress has welcomed the federal government's decision to lift the freeze on processing claims from asylum seekers from Sri Lanka.


Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced on Tuesday that the freeze in place since April would be lifted for claimants fleeing Sri Lanka.
The halt in processing of Afghan refugees, however, will continue under a review process.
Perambalan Senthooran says the policy shift would come as a relief for around 700 Sri Lankan asylum seekers waiting to be processed by Australian authorities.
"I know they have been under a lot of stress, depression, suicidal tendencies, and they were very fearful that they would be sent back home," Mr Senthooran told AAP.
"Now at least they will receive a fair process and that's all they were after.
"They were fleeing from really horrendous conditions."
But he said it was "very disappointing" the freeze on processing refugees from Afghanistan remained in place.
Mr Senthooran said refugees in Afghanistan were no different from Tamils in Sri Lanka.
In my view the western forces that are there are creating these refugees, and (the government) has a moral responsibility to look after them," he said.
Mr Senthooran said a bipartisan approach to the treatment of asylum seekers was desirable.
"Take (refugees) out of politics and treat them under the United Nations charter."