Iranian Detainees to Go Home
DPS 31/2003

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) confirmed today that failed Iranian asylum seekers in Australia's immigration detention facilities had been advised of options for their return to Iran.

The letter to detainees follows the signing of an agreement between the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Philip Ruddock, and senior government officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran in March this year.

Australia and Iran have agreed that their first priority is to work together to promote the voluntary repatriation of those Iranians currently in detention in Australia. 

DIMIA continues to work closely and cooperatively with the Iranian Embassy in Australia to achieve this. 

The agreement provides the capacity to enforce the removal of those who do not volunteer to return.

Iranian detainees were informed that should they agree to return voluntarily to Iran they would be provided with all necessary help to make this happen.

This would include providing reintegration assistance at $2,000 for each individual or up to $10,000 for each family and meeting the costs of airfares and travel documents.

Detainees have 28 days from the date of formal notification in which to accept the offer.

Should the offer not be accepted detainees will be returned to Iran without any of the benefits offered to voluntary participants.


2 May 2003

Letter of offer of voluntary return to Iranians
Dear 

On 12 March 2003 the Australian Government and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to the return of failed Iranian asylum seekers in Australia. The agreement establishes arrangements to promote the voluntary return of Iranian nationals who are illegally in Australia. The agreement also allows for the involuntary removal of Iranians in detention who have no outstanding protection applications.

On this basis, I invite you, and any family members accompanying you in Australia, to accept voluntary return to Iran.

If you agree to accept voluntary return to Iran, the Australian Government will be responsible for the reasonable cost of your return to Tehran and domestic transfers to your home community. Your return will be arranged as soon as reasonably practicable.

In addition, the Australian Government will provide you with a reintegration package with cash assistance of $A2,000 per individual with a maximum of $A10,000 per family. The attached brochure (Information on Reintegration Package for Iranians) provides more detail of the offer by the Australian Government.

If you wish to obtain more information or discuss this offer further please contact the DIMIA Deputy Manager as soon as possible.

If you wish to accept the offer of voluntary return to Iran, please complete the attached 'Declaration of Voluntary Return' accepting the offer together with the 'Personal Particulars Form' and 'Travel document application' and return them within 28 days of this letter to the DIMIA Deputy Business Manager. Please also provide any supporting identification documentation to assist in travel document processing.

You, and family members accompanying you in Australia, should consider carefully your options for voluntary return to Iran. If you choose not to accept voluntary return within the 28 days, plans for your involuntary removal will begin and you will be removed from Australia as soon as practicable without the benefits of financial assistance.

Yours sincerely
Deputy Manager 

Media inquiries:
Public Affairs: (02) 6264 2244 (bh) or 0419 442 000 (ah)

The following text was downloaded from the Australian Financial Review site, also claiming to be a letter from DIMIA to Iranian Refugees.

To the Iranian detainees:

By now you will have been told that your application to remain in Australia has been unsuccessful. We understand that you will be disappointed. Those who smuggled you here misled you by creating expectations that were not realistic.

It is now time, however for you to take positive action to regain control of your life.

It you choose to return to Iran of your own free will the Australian Government will provide you with all the necessary help to make this return possible. The Iranian Government will also assist, it necessary, as it is their desire to see all Iranians in detention returned in this way.

If you choose to return to Iran we will provide the following:

we will meet the costs of the required airfares and travel documents to get you to your final destination;

we will waive the debt you owe to the Australian Government for the cost of detention

and return to Iran. We will also waive any court costs you may have incurred. This will 

ensure that vote have no legal barrier to submit an application to come to Australia in the future; and

we will provide you with financial assistance for your reintegration in Iran: A$2000 (adult or child) or up to A$10,000 per family (defined as husband/wife and dependent children),

.

To be entitled to these benefits, you must accept the offer within 28 days of receiving a formal

letter of offer, which we expect will be provided on XXXX.

If you do not choose to return in a dignified voluntary manner the Australian Government will take steps' to return you to Iran in the near future. This return will not provide you with the same benefits:

You will not be eligible to apply to re-enter Australia legally. .

You will not receive any financial assistance. .

We urge you to actively consider your options. Failure to do so will result in your removal from Australia. The Governments of Iran and Australia are currently consulting on the issue of your removal should you not depart voluntarily.

Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs