Introducing the politics of deterrence, detainment and dehumanisation

The number of displaced people throughout the world steadily increases with the rise in global conflicts, internal oppression, and denial of human rights. Correspondingly, receiving nations are becoming increasingly immune to the contexts of suffering as borders tighten to prevent entry of those seeking sanctuary. Under the pretext of humanitarianism toward refugee flows, the reality is that bordering practices not only prevent people seeking haven but also inflict cruelty and harm. It is within this global context that this collection of essays emerges, with the focus on Australia as an unfortunate “leader” in privileging border security over humanitarian considerations. Despite a robust advocacy movement, media exposure of denial of human rights, academic research and refugee voices, successive governments have not relented. There are a continuum of strategies, where government deterrence practices and the growth of the detention industry has sought to strip people seeking asylum of their humanity.