Recently, Senator Hokkons Baules introduced a bill in the Senate, which if enacted into law, would effectively bar the entry of any asylum seekers to this country.
In an interview, Sen. Joel Toribiong said that he does not agree with the rationale that the country should drive away people seeking refuge simply because it is experiencing economic difficulties.
“I think we should treat this issue from a humanitarian perspective. The people that come and seek refuge in this country have suffered persecutions in their own countries. Instead of driving them away, I think Palau should welcome them,” he stressed.
Baules said in an earlier interview that he was moved to introduce the measure because of fears that entry of asylum seekers would be an additional burden to an already weak economy.
“Why fear? Palau will not be the only one shouldering the expenses of these people. The United Nations and other humanitarian agencies are there to help us,” said Toribiong, citing the case of the Burmese asylum seekers who sought refuge in Palau sometime in 2009.
Last February 2009, 11 Burmese nationals suffering persecution in their home country fled and sought political asylum in Palau. The Palau government, helped by the UN, churches and non-government organizations, took care of them before they eventually left for the United States.
Aside from banning asylum seekers, the bill also seeks to impose penalties for transporting asylum seekers to this country.
Asylum seeker is defined as a human being seeking refuge in another country due to persecution in their home country for political opinions, religious beliefs, race, nationality or membership in a particular social group or political party.
The bill, also known as “Asylum Seeker Ban of 2010” was passed in the Upper House in the first reading.
