Skip to main content

Australian human rights groups, UN official slam government's travel ban from India

By A Representative 
The travel ban and penalties on Australians travelling from India under the pretext of the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis has come under heavy criticism from the country's human rights organisations. The Humanism Project said that it is "deeply concerned" at the travel ban on Australian citizens returning from India, stating, it is nothing but "criminalisation of such travel under the Biosecurity Act."
In a statement, the Humanism Project said, while Australia should take "all possible measures to protect our biosecurity", it is also Australia's moral obligation "to look after its own citizens." It added, "The decision to impose hefty fines and jail term, without a plan to ensure safe return of its own citizen, is irresponsible, lacks compassion and raises serious human rights concerns."
The Australian Project said, the "Government must come forward with a plan that will ensure safe return of all Australians abroad and announce measures, and a plan to bring all Australians home, many of whom have been stranded overseas for a number of months."
It insisted, the government should also announce "a timeline for establishing suitable quarantine facilities so that Australians could travel to Australia from India, and from any other country, without putting Australia's biosecurity at risk."
In a separate statement, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), slamming Australia’s inbound flight ban from India, said, it raises "serious human rights concerns." Even as "supporting" the continuation of aid to the Indian government as it copes with the current Covid-19 crisis, the commission termed the new restrictions on Australians returning to Australia from India "extraordinary."
It said, “The need for such restrictions must be publicly justified. The government must show that these measures are not discriminatory and the only suitable way of dealing with the threat to public health." It urged Parliament’s Senate Select Committee on Covid-19 to "review" these new restrictions immediately.
Approaching the Australian government directly with its concerns, AHRC said, the commission had previously provided a detailed analysis of the human rights implications of Covid-19 emergency measures – and what principles are important to consider. It added, the government should consider its analysis and take requisite measures.
Meanwhile, the office of the UN human rights Commissioner, raising “serious concerns” about Australia's Morrison government’s ban on Australians returning from India, and the severe penalties attached to breaches, said the measure is "Inconsistent with Australia’s human rights obligations.”
The official, Rupert Colville, questioning the controversial temporary measure, which can attract maximum penalties of five years’ imprisonment or $66,600, said, “We have serious concerns about whether the Biosecurity Determination -- and the severe penalties which can be imposed for its breach -- meets Australia’s human rights obligations.”
In particular, article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is binding on Australia, provides that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country, nhe said.

Comments

TRENDING

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative   At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar  For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative   Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

The myth of population decline: India’s real challenge is density, not fertility

By N.S. Venkataraman*   India’s population in 2025 stands at approximately 1.4 billion. In 1950, it was 359 million, rising sharply to 1.05 billion by 2000. The population continues to grow and is projected to reach around 1.7 billion by 2050.

How natural and organic farming can be a key to combating the climate crisis

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  On July 9, while addressing the “Sahkar Samvad” in Ahmedabad with women and workers associated with cooperatives from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that natural farming is essential for both our health and the health of the soil. This is a significant statement in the context of addressing the climate change crisis. Natural farming can play a crucial role in combating climate change. Also known as organic farming, it is a system of agriculture that can increase food production without harming the environment. Natural farming has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 35% to 50%.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.