Chris Bowen, the Immigration Minister for Australia is on a visit to Geneva for talks regarding the refugee policies with the UN. A Regional Protection Framework has been proposed by Australia in an attempt to cater to the problems of the nation with irregular migration to Australia. The Minister intends to enhance greater engagement internationally as a way of strategy to fight human smuggling.

The Australian Minister would be meeting António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner and William Swing, the Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM) this week.

According to Minister Bowen, the United States has a very important role to play when it comes to dealing with challenge of the asylum seekers in the region. Also, addressing the protection issues is another important aspect. He also said that the IOM is a key partner for the implementation of many programs catering to the asylum seekers. Such people otherwise might become the subject of human traffickers.

Bowen’s meeting follows the discussions with other nations such as Malaysia, East Timor and Indonesia. These discussions were about the united effort which has been put in against smuggling of people.

Bowen also stated that a strategy which also includes the regional partners is the best way to deal with irregular migration. This would cater to the removal of incentive for the people to take up such journeys by the sea which are extremely dangerous.

These talks are a part of the constant struggle made by Australia when it comes to dealing with detention centers which are overcrowded. More so, it continues to receive boatloads of asylum seekers. A controversy was recently encountered by the government with specific reference to the way these refugees were being treated in the detention centers. Most of these people are awaiting a decision on their case. With this, there is a vast backlog of applications for visas which has resulted in an extended period for detention leading to mass protests by the detainees.