Australia’s High Court blocks asylum seeker transfer to Sri Lanka

         
The Australian High Court has issued a temporary injunction preventing the return of a second boat of more than 150 asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said on Monday (July 7).            

The interim injunction will prevent the Australian government from returning the 153 asylum seekers until Tuesday (July 8) afternoon, the broadcaster said, by which time the High Court will issue further guidance.          

Earlier in the day, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirmed 41 asylum seekers have been handed over to Sri Lanka's military after being processed at sea, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.            

Sri Lankan police said on Monday that those returned would be charged with leaving the country illegally and those found guilty faced "rigorous imprisonment".           

But Morrison refused to discuss the whereabouts of another 153 asylum seekers on another boat believed to be facing the same fate, the ABC reported.                 

During a radio interview before the injunction was granted on Monday, Morrison dismissed critics of the government's policy of handing asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan Navy at sea.    

Australia's High Court will hear refugee advocates arguing to extend the interim injunction on Tuesday (July 8).  


REUTERS