The medical profession must advocate for a humane response to asylum seekers
The debate around the best response to the global issue of asylum seekers and displaced persons (see glossary in the Box) continues to arouse strong feelings in Australia. Annually, there are about 80 000 resettlement places available around the world, and Australia currently accepts 13 500 refugees under humanitarian resettlement programs. In our region, thousands of assessed refugees wait in Indonesia and Malaysia for resettlement places. Half of asylum seekers are women and children, many of whom have experienced violence, abuse and sexual assault.1
Box
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
I am a past Chair of the Detention Health Advisory Group.