SA: Bakhtiyari family moved, told to get out of Australia

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2004
SA: Bakhtiyari family moved, told to get out of Australia

By Steve Larkin

ADELAIDE, Dec 18 AAP - The federal government told a family of asylum seekers to get
out of Australia after moving them today from suburban Adelaide to immigration housing
in South Australia's north.

Roqia Bakhtiyari and her six children were sent to Port Augusta today during an early
morning immigration department operation. They were given no time to pack belongings.

Her husband, Ali, remains at the Baxter detention centre on Port Augusta's outskirts,
where more than 20 Iranians have been on a hunger strike for about two weeks.

Mrs Bakhtiyari and her children had been living in suburban Adelaide, despite the government
having refused all family members refugee status.

The family says it is from Afghanistan, but the government maintains it is from Pakistan
and can safely return.

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said the living arrangements of the family had
become "untenable" but refused to elaborate.

Senator Vanstone defended the haste of the Bakhtiyaris' removal to Port Augusta today
and would not say if it was a step towards deportation, instead asking the family to voluntarily
depart.

The family had cost taxpayers more than $500,000 in having 20 claims heard and refused
by the courts, she said.

"What I think is appropriate is the Bakhtiyari family accept that they have had a fair
go in Australia, all their claims have been considered, that they accept that and simply
choose to go," Senator Vanstone said.

"If they don't choose to do that, removal is an option that can be considered.

"This family has been given every opportunity.

"They should recognise the reality that Australia has been very fair and they have
had a very, very fair hearing, but haven't been successful.

"It's time to face that reality, and go."

The family's plight attracted international attention in 2002 when, during a mass escape
from the now defunct Woomera detention centre, two of the children fled to Melbourne where
they sought refuge in the British consulate.

Meanwhile, Senator Vanstone said the actions of Iranians on a hunger strike inside
the Baxter facility were "futile".

"The government abhors these sorts of actions," she said.

"The detainees who are engaging in the action are not refugees.

"I strongly urge all those still involved in this futile action to cease immediately."

Three Iranians yesterday came down after spending more than a week on a rooftop at Baxter.

Others have stitched their lips in a hunger strike which began two weeks ago and has
involved up to 27 detainees, according to refugee advocates.

AAP sl/bes/sd

KEYWORD: BAKHTIYARI NIGHTLEAD

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