Australia says breached Indonesian territory while blocking refugee boats

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Australia's government on Friday acknowledged its navy breached Indonesian territorial sovereignty several times as part of its controversial operations to stop boats carrying would-be asylum seekers from entering Australian waters. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said he had been informed earlier this week about the "inadvertent breaches" and immediately informed the Indonesian navy. Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, the officer in charge of "Operation Sovereign Borders", said the breaches occurred on multiple days but declined to provide further details. "However the Australian government remains committed to continuing to implement the policies to stop the boats." The number of refugees reaching Australia pales in comparison with other countries but it is a polarizing political issue that also stokes tension with neighboring Indonesia over border policies that have been criticized by the United Nations and international human rights groups.




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