Prime Minister Tony Abbott has backed moves made by European and Asian countries to prevent boats carrying thousands of asylum seekers from landing ashore in their respective countries.
Abbott yesterday backed the moves in stating, “As long as there is people-smuggling, there will be deaths at sea. And the only way to stop the deaths at sea is to stop the boats and that means turning boats around.“
“We had very little food, and we agreed that we would leave it for the women and children. Then they started hitting us. They took the food. They pushed many of us overboard. They beat us and attacked us with knives. I was hit with a wooden plank on the head and on my legs.“
Survivors reportedly claim that as many as seven people died during the clash for supplies, whilst seven children also died during the voyage.
“We’re not seeing any such moves from any governments in the region even though we’re calling on the international community to take action because people are dying.”
And yet, Prime Minister Abbott’s stance on the issue remains as resolute as ever.
“I don’t apologise in any way for the action that Australia has taken to preserve safety at sea by turning boats around where necessary. And if other countries choose to do that, frankly that is almost certainly absolutely necessary if the scourge of people smuggling is to be beaten.”
But ultimately, despite Abbott’s policies, the impoverished, the persecuted, and the desperate continue to ache for better lives.
