"Back to Prison Upon Return"… Australia Faces Growing Criticism Over Ban on Citizens Arriving from India

Up to 5 Years Imprisonment Upon Entry
"Criticism for Treating Citizens and Permanent Residents as Criminals"

Medical staff treating COVID-19 confirmed patients at a temporary hospital in New Delhi, the capital of India [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Criticism is spreading that the Australian government has "abandoned its citizens" after imposing a complete ban on the entry of its nationals and permanent residents coming from India.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 3rd (local time) that "banning Australians from India, including children, from entering the country is being criticized as a violation of citizenship and a cultural double standard."

Australia has temporarily imposed a complete ban from today on the return of Australian nationals and permanent residents who are currently staying in India or have stayed in India within the last 14 days. Violators face up to five years in prison or a fine of 60,000 Australian dollars (about 52 million KRW). Approximately 8,000 people are subject to this entry ban.

According to the NYT, among democratic countries worldwide, only Australia has taken such a strong entry ban measure. Western democracies such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany also restrict travelers coming from India, but temporarily exempt their own citizens or permanent residents from these measures.

This measure has increased feelings of betrayal and dissatisfaction among Australians staying in India toward the Australian government. An Australian residing in India told the NYT in an interview, "I thought my passport would take care of me," expressing a sense of betrayal toward the Australian government.

Another Australian staying in India with family said, "Indian Australians see this as a racist policy," adding, "In countries like the United States where infections have also spread, people there and Indian Australians were treated differently."

Sheva Nandkuliya, director of the Australian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, also criticized the government to the NYT, saying, "In a situation that requires strong national empathy, they criminalized their own citizens." Human Rights Watch also condemned the Australian government’s actions as "an absurd response that undermines the concept of citizenship by denying citizens the right to return to their country."

The NYT pointed out that this ban on nationals from India "has taken Australia's traditionally strong 'hard border' stance to a new extreme," noting that "this is the first time Australia has criminalized the entry of its own citizens and permanent residents."

As opposition to the Australian government’s measures spreads, Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the policy, saying, "These restrictions are necessary due to the high infection rates among travelers from India." He explained, "By taking all necessary actions and measures to protect Australia from the ongoing severe COVID-19 pandemic, more Australians will be able to safely return home."

Prime Minister Morrison added, "No one has been imprisoned under the Biosecurity Act, which is the basis for this measure, and we will handle the issue of punishment very carefully."

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia has implemented some of the world's strictest border controls. No one can leave the country without government approval. Even if staying in countries where the COVID-19 situation has stabilized, entry into Australia requires special government permission or purchasing an expensive one-way ticket costing up to 30,000 Australian dollars (about 33 million KRW).

It is estimated that about 35,000 Australians have been unable to return home due to the inability to secure seats on special flights to Australia or the financial burden of ticket prices.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.