UN advises Australia to not deport Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker

The UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) has advised the Australian Government that a Sri Lankan  man held in immigration detention in Australia and in danger of imminent deportation, should not be returned to Sri Lanka. Human rights law firm, Human Rights for All, filed a complaint to CAT in early December 2017 on behalf of the man. On 11 December 2017, CAT accepted that the complaint had merit and issued the interim measure, a statement said.

CAT has requested Australia not deport the man while it considers his case. Director Principal of Human Rights for All, Alison Battisson, said of the interim order: "The Committee Against Torture's interim measure once against highlights the serious issues faced by Tamil asylum seekers in Australia. By issuing this measure, the UN recognises that Sri Lanka is not safe for Tamils, despite Australia denying refugee status to many Tamils. HR4A is very pleased that the UN Torture Committee has decided to act, and act quickly, to stop the deportation of this man. These interim measures are quite rare - this illustrates the very real concern the UN has over Australia's practices of refouling Tamils to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is not safe for many Tamils to return to," a release by the rights group Human Rights for All siad.