Australia signs controversial refugee transfer deal with Cambodia

Guardian Australia exclusive:

• Plane chartered to send group of refugees for resettlement, sources say
• Immigration staff reportedly hand out leaflets promising a chance of ‘a new life’
• Refugees get temporary housing in the ‘style of a serviced apartment’
• International Organisation for Migration sending official observer

 The deputy prime minister of Cambodia, Sar Kheng, and Australia’s minister for immigration, Peter Dutton, signed a memorandum of understanding on migration in March. Photograph: Mike Bowers for the Guardian

The Guardian Wednesday 15th April 2015

'It is unclear how many refugees have accepted the offer. Guardian Australia is aware of at least one family confirmed on the flight manifest.'

The Australian government has chartered a plane to move the first group of refugees from Nauru to Cambodia within days as part of a $40m resettlement deal, sources on the island have said.

Guardian Australia has seen several letters that were reportedly distributed by Australian immigration staff to refugees on Nauru and a spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration has confirmed it is sending an official to Nauru.

Families in the Nauru detention centre protest against Australia’s new deal to resettle refugees in Cambodia. Photograph: Supplied

“We will send an official to Nauru in the coming days with the expectation of possible movements but don’t have any further information for the moment,” he said.

The letters handed out to refugees offer them an opportunity to settle in Cambodia, where they will be eligible for citizenship in seven years.

“Cambodia is a diverse country with multiple nationalities, cultures and religions. They enjoy all the freedoms of a democratic society including freedom of religion and freedom of speech.”

“The opportunity to settle in Cambodia is now available to you. The first flight from Nauru to Cambodia for refugees will be as soon as 20 April 2015. Moving to Cambodia provides an opportunity for you and your family to start a new life in a safe country, free from persecution and violence, and build your future,” the letter says.

“Cambodia is a diverse country with multiple nationalities, cultures and religions. They enjoy all the freedoms of a democratic society including freedom of religion and freedom of speech.”

It goes on: “Cambodia is a safe country, where police maintain law and order. It does not have problems with violent crime or stray dogs.”

The letter says the refugees will be able to send their children to school in Cambodia, and will be given support including cash and a bank account, assistance finding work, income support, language training and health insurance.

One refugee living in the community on Nauru who received the letter told Guardian Australia: “The letter was very confusing because it didn’t mention anything exactly. They said support but the people don’t know what exactly they mean by support.”

“People Googled Cambodia and they said it’s not a developed country, there is lots of dangers, and I know people have lots of concerns about it. So not many people are interested.”

Cambodians protest Australia using country as refugee ‘dumping ground’

The letter says they will be offered temporary accommodation in Phnom Penh in the “style of a serviced apartment, guest house or villa”. After six to eight weeks, case managers will assist them in gaining access to further accommodation, the letter says.

Healthcare in Cambodia “is of a good quality for the region, with many doctors and hospitals that treat both Cambodians and foreigners”, it says.

It is unclear how many refugees have accepted the offer. Guardian Australia is aware of at least one family confirmed on the flight manifest.

Numerous aid groups have warned the Australian government that Cambodia is ill-equipped to take on refugees because it has a poor human rights record and widespread poverty.

Critics of the deal, including human rights groups in Cambodia, argue the developing nation is poorly suited to accept and support refugees. Cambodia remains one of the most deeply corrupt nations on earth (156th on the Transparency International list of 175 countries) and has, according to Human Rights Watch, “a terrible record for protecting refugees and is mired in serious human rights abuses”.

In March, Australia signed a new memorandum of understanding with Cambodia following a visit from the immigration minister, Peter Dutton.

The immigration department has been contacted for comment.