Trump casts further doubt over increasingly uncertain US refugee deal

The future of the US refugee deal has again been thrown into doubt following reports that US President Donald Trump has called the agreement the ‘worst deal ever’.

Daniel Webb, Director of Advocacy at the Human Rights Law Centre, said:

“What a mess. When Malcolm Turnbull announced the US deal he was finally conceding that he couldn’t leave 2000 innocent people in limbo forever. It’s not good enough to just sit back and hope for the best from Donald Trump. It’s Malcolm Turnbull’s responsibility to ensure that every single innocent person languishing on Nauru and Manus is evacuated to safety and finally able to start rebuilding their lives,” said Mr Webb.

“When the US deal was announced many of the men, women and children on Nauru and Manus felt hopeful and optimistic for the first time in years. But all this uncertainty, delay and confusion will be seeing those faint hopes dashed,” said Mr Webb.

“Enough is enough. These lives are in Malcolm Turnbull’s hands, not Donald Trump’s. After three and a half years of limbo it’s time for Turnbull to show some leadership and principle and do the decent thing - bring the innocent people on Nauru and Manus to safety here in Australia,” said Mr Webb.

For further comments or queries please contact:

Daniel Webb, Director of Legal Advocacy, Human Rights Law Centre, 0437 278 961

Michelle Bennett, Director of Communications, Human Rights Law Centre, 0419 100 519

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