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How an Afghan refugee crisis at sea transformed Australia policy
Twenty years ago, a Norwegian freighter rescued hundreds of Afghan asylum seekers off a sinking Indonesian vessel, triggering a crisis that ushered in Australia’s hardline immigration policies.
Melbourne, Australia – In August 2001, an Indonesian fishing boat carrying 433 asylum seekers was en route to Australia’s Christmas Island, when its engine failed in international waters.
- Oliver Lees
- Al Jazeera
The Australian Coast Guard called on a Norwegian freighter nearby to conduct a rescue operation.
Many on board the Indonesian vessel were Afghans who were fleeing persecution from the Taliban and included several pregnant women and…