World Youth Day pilgrims apply for asylum
Nicola Berkovic; 12/8/08
At least 18 pilgrims who arrived in the country for World Youth Day have applied for asylum. Most are from African nations, including Zimbabwe, Burundi and Kenya, but there are also some Pakistanis. The Asylum Seekers Centre of NSW, which is providing assistance to the pilgrims, is struggling to deal with the surge in claims. “Eighteen people with serious concerns might not sound like a lot, but for us as an organisation trying to manage that, it’s impossible,” director Tamara Domicelj said. “People are presenting to us having slept outdoors and with the weather in Sydney lately being so cold and wet, it’s a real concern.”
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24165770-5013404,00.html
Tags: Australia, Migrants & Refugees, WYD