Detainees who find Christ may be allowed to stay (in Australia)

Thirty of Australia's longest-term immigration detainees are having their cases reviewed and could be freed because they have converted to Christianity since arriving.

The Federal Government has made the move quietly as it searches for a face-saving way to soften its policy on failed asylum seekers who have been in custody for more than three years, and cannot be repatriated to their countries of origin.

It follows strong lobbying efforts by several Government backbenchers, churches and the powerful Family First party for the Government to relax its refugee policy for Christian converts.

It also follows the case of one convert, deported from Baxter detention centre last October within a week after the election, and promptly interrogated in Iran for 48 hours before being charged with leaving the country illegally.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Find-Christ-and-you-may-stay/2005/03/20/1111253889168.html

If I could stay in Australia, I promise I would leave no stone left unturned.

I thoguht we were a bloody religiously diverse nation?

Boy we are really living back in the 50's now!

Howard is one sick bastard!

Where does this logically begin and end? There's an established Orthodox Jewish community in Australia. What if one of the asylum-seekers converted to Judaism? Would they be allowed to stay because of that?

You're in fear of your life, have skills to offer, are willing and
able to work, but if you're Muslim you're not wanted. But a drop
of baptismal water will make you clean and acceptable.

This is so bigoted, I can't believe what I'm reading.

Why am I not surprised that Families First are involved - just what
we need, more right-wing fundies.

:shrug: