THE
IMMIGRATION Department’s arbitrary actions and other excesses have been
well-documented over the years. The ombudswoman, deputies, immigrant support
groups and the media have reported countless cases of the department’s heavy
handedness and systematic abuses of power; there was even a public falling out
between a former interior minister and the head of the department, over the
handling of specific cases.
[…]
The
arrogance of the Department has become quite frightening, as it no longer
maintains even a pretence that it is operating within the law. As we reported
last week, the Department completely ignored a Supreme Court decision, issued
on December 19, ordering the immediate release of a Bosnian asylum seeker. A
second ruling was issued on February 7, because the Department had ignored the
December ruling, keeping the Bosnian in custody. The Supreme Court ruling
censured the Department and the Interior Ministry, which, reportedly, were
considering appealing the decision.
