Nation Readies Transfer of Refugees to Navy Ship
Australia prepared today to transfer hundreds of refugees stranded on a Norwegian cargo vessel to a navy troop carrier after a court lifted an injunction against the move.
Australia plans to ship the asylum seekers, mostly Afghans, to Papua New Guinea. From there, they will be flown to New Zealand and the island nation of Nauru.
Premier John Howard has refused to let the refugees into Australia. He has been challenged by the Victoria state Council for Civil Liberties. A Melbourne court had barred the transfer of refugees pending a ruling, but that order has now been lifted.
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