"Well they're very, very genuine concerns at present as to the status of the 800 people who are to be sent by Australia to Malaysia. There's concern about the status of asylum seekers in Malaysia generally, but there's concern about the status of the 800 to be sent"
- Julie Bishop
About this Quote
This quote by Julie Bishop is describing the Australian government's strategy to send 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia. Bishop is expressing her concern for the status of these 800 individuals, as there is a general issue about the status of asylum hunters in Malaysia. Bishop is most likely referring to the fact that Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, implying that asylum seekers might not be given the exact same rights and securities as they would in other countries. Bishop is most likely expressing her concern that these 800 individuals might not be given the exact same rights and protections as they would in other nations, which they may be subject to mistreatment or exploitation. Bishop's issue is likely shared by numerous, as the status of asylum candidates in Malaysia is uncertain and there is a lack of legal security for them.