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Cambodia deal says refugees will be settled outside Phnom Penh Cambodia deal says refugees will be settled outside Phnom Penh
(about 14 hours later)
The deal signed by immigration minister Scott Morrison in Phnom Penh on Friday will see refugees held on the South Pacific island of Nauru resettled “outside” the Cambodian capital. The deal signed with Cambodia by immigration minister Scott Morrison will see refugees held on Nauru resettled “outside” Phnom Penh.
Morrison refused to answer questions regarding the memorandum of understanding during a 5-minute signing ceremony, after which he clinked champagne glasses with Cambodian official. As foreign minister Julie Bishop defended the deal on Sunday, a copy of the memorandum of understanding with Cambodia, which has been posted on Morrison’s official website, revealed the first details of the scheme.
But a copy of the MOU, which has been posted on Morrison’s official website, shows for the first time the details of the agreement, which was first proposed during a February visit to Cambodia by foreign minister Julie Bishop and has until now been shrouded in secrecy. Morrison refused to answer questions regarding the memorandum of understanding during a 5-minute signing ceremony on Friday, after which he clinked champagne glasses with Cambodian officials.
It says that the duration of the deal will initially be for four years, and can be terminated six months after notice is given in writing either by the Australian or Cambodian government. But it says that the duration of the deal will initially be for four years, and can be terminated six months after notice is given in writing either by the Australian or Cambodian government.
“[T]he temporary accommodation of refugees will be in Phnom Penh. The settlement services for the integration of refugees into the Cambodian community under this MOU will be delivered at a location outside of Phnom Penh,” it says, but does not elaborate.“[T]he temporary accommodation of refugees will be in Phnom Penh. The settlement services for the integration of refugees into the Cambodian community under this MOU will be delivered at a location outside of Phnom Penh,” it says, but does not elaborate.
Bishop defended the deal on Sunday, saying that Cambodia asked Australia if it could help resettle asylum seekers because it has aspirations to be a developed country.
“Cambodia is very keen to get people into their country who can help them grow their economy,” Ms Bishop told ABC television on Sunday.
“I don’t think it’s for you or me to tell Cambodia that they can’t offer themselves as a location for refugees.”
Cambodian officials have said they might begin by resettling just five refugees but Bishop said “it’s a start”, when pressed on the small number.
The Jesuit Refugee Service in Phnom Penh has been outspoken in its opposition to any kind of institutionalised accommodation for the refugees, which the MOU says would come to Cambodia on a voluntary basis.The Jesuit Refugee Service in Phnom Penh has been outspoken in its opposition to any kind of institutionalised accommodation for the refugees, which the MOU says would come to Cambodia on a voluntary basis.
Refugees on Nauru say the deal is “cruel” and will keep them in detention forever.Refugees on Nauru say the deal is “cruel” and will keep them in detention forever.
The deal also says that “refugees will be assisted to re-establish their lives so that they become self-sufficient; the level and type of support provided to each refugee will be tailored to their needs; services and treatment will be commensurate with local community standards; [and] health insurance will be provided to Refugees as set out in the Operational Guidelines.”The deal also says that “refugees will be assisted to re-establish their lives so that they become self-sufficient; the level and type of support provided to each refugee will be tailored to their needs; services and treatment will be commensurate with local community standards; [and] health insurance will be provided to Refugees as set out in the Operational Guidelines.”
These guidelines say that Cambodia will be responsible for providing refugees with a “refugee recognition certificate … refugee resident card, and refugee identity card,” as well as providing orientation programs and Khmer language lessons.These guidelines say that Cambodia will be responsible for providing refugees with a “refugee recognition certificate … refugee resident card, and refugee identity card,” as well as providing orientation programs and Khmer language lessons.
Australia is to bear the cost of “their daily subsistence”, language training and loans to set up small businesses, temporary accommodation, food and clothing assistance with getting private accommodation, health services and “other services,” though it is not clear what these are.Australia is to bear the cost of “their daily subsistence”, language training and loans to set up small businesses, temporary accommodation, food and clothing assistance with getting private accommodation, health services and “other services,” though it is not clear what these are.
“Cambodia will provide the required documentation to allow refugee children the opportunity to access public education, and the opportunity for adult Refugees to obtain jobs,” the MOU says.“Cambodia will provide the required documentation to allow refugee children the opportunity to access public education, and the opportunity for adult Refugees to obtain jobs,” the MOU says.
In August, 75% percent of the students who sat the Grade 12 exam failed, while only nine students out of the 90,000 who took part received an A grade.In August, 75% percent of the students who sat the Grade 12 exam failed, while only nine students out of the 90,000 who took part received an A grade.
The public health system, meanwhile, is of a poor standard and most Cambodians live on about a dollar a day.The public health system, meanwhile, is of a poor standard and most Cambodians live on about a dollar a day.