I am appalled that Canada would consider Australia a role model in dealing with refugees [“Oz policy urged for refugees”, August 19-26]. The Australian refugee policy is inhumane and has led to incredible harm to vulnerable people. Asylum seekers, thousands of whom have been locked up in detention centres surrounded by razor wire, have gone on hunger strikes, self-harmed, and committed suicide because of their abhorrent treatment.

Boat people make up between four and six percent of people seeking refuge in Australia, and 90 percent of people making refugee claims in Australia are found to be genuine refugees. Australia is in no way being flooded by illegal immigrants, and there is no excuse for the mandatory-detention policy.

Canada, condemn Australia’s refugee policy; don’t copy it.

> Lian Beveridge / Vancouver