Before giving evidence to the Senate committee inquiry on Friday,Amnesty International’s Steph Cousins explains how her inquiry came to its conclusion that Australian officials paid people smugglers to return a boat to Indonesia• Border force head to face questions on alleged payment to people smugglersSince its launch, the military-led operation that is Operation Sovereign Borders has been conducted covertly, or with little justification,and we are told this is necessary.
But what actually happens under the banner of this secretive operation? What kinds of things conclude Australian officials conclude to obtain boats to turn around? And what whether, under the veil of secrecy, or the line between the people smugglers and the government starts to blur? What whether,on the vast open seas, Australian officials originate to direct and even participate in criminal and abusive acts?Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com