Myanmar nationals in Australia to have visas extended following deadly military coup, federal government announces
Myanmar nationals living in Australia are being offered safe haven, with the federal government announcing it will extend their visas until it's safe for them to return home.
Key points:
- Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said his department would be writing to the visa-holders with advice on how to "lawfully remain" in Australia
- Some students from Myanmar, who have been agitating against the military coup online, have said they fear political persecution if they return home
- However, it's not clear how long they will be able to stay, or how the government will judge when it's safe for them to return
The government has been under pressure to offer greater protection to the more than 3,300 Myanmar citizens in Australia, following February's deadly military coup.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said his department would be writing to the visa-holders with advice on how to "lawfully remain" in Australia.
"This measure provides a means for Myanmar citizens in Australia to remain here until it is safe for them to return home," Mr Hawke said in a statement.
"These arrangements will support Myanmar nationals in Australia who are affected by the ongoing unrest in Myanmar, consistent with Australia's international obligations.
"Australia continues to strongly urge the Myanmar security forces to exercise restraint and refrain from violence against civilians, release those detained arbitrarily and engage in dialogue."
The announcement will be a great relief to many international students and other short term visa holders from Myanmar living in Australia.
Some students from Myanmar, who have been agitating against the military coup online, have said they fear political persecution if they return home.
The government had already assured Myanmar citizens they would not be forced back to the country, but some international students said they still felt their situation was ambiguous and unsettled.
Today's announcement will provide them with greater clarity and certainty, although at this stage it's not clear how long they will be able to stay, or how the government will judge when it's safe for them to return.
Officials and politicians in Canberra are deeply pessimistic about the turmoil in Myanmar and remain worried the violence in the country could escalate further.
Australia's top diplomat, Frances Adamson, recently warned the situation there was "a security, political and humanitarian crisis that is not only catastrophic for the people of Myanmar, but imperils regional stability".
Human rights groups have been urging the federal government to take more forceful action against the country's military rulers in the wake of the coup on February 1.
While Australia has suspended military cooperation with the junta, it has not — unlike several other Western nations — imposed fresh sanctions on leading figures in the military regime.