Government Paints Different Picture Of Cambodia For Refugees And Australians

    "Cambodia is a safe country, where police maintain law and order."

    Alex Lee
    by Alex Lee

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia

    Starting Sunday, Australia will send the first group of refugees from Nauru to Cambodia, under a $40 million resettlement deal.

    Omar Havana / Getty Images

    When the deal between the two countries was signed with the clink of champagne glasses last year, a coalition of human rights groups including the UN refugee agency condemned it as "inappropriate, immoral and likely illegal" and accused Australia of shirking its responsibilities.

    Crikey has obtained a copy of the five-page “Settlement in Cambodia Fact Sheet” given to refugees and asylum seekers at Nauru detention centre. The document touts the benefits of living in the southeast Asian country.

    Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection / media.crikey.com.au

    "Moving to Cambodia provides an opportunity for you and your family to start a new life in a safe country, free from persecution and violence, and build your future."

    But the rosy picture of Cambodia that the Australian government paints is very different to the advice it offers its own citizens on its Smart Traveller website.

    Master2 / Getty Images

    Health

    Tang Chhin Sothy AFP / Getty Images
    Tang Chhin Sothy AFP / Getty Images
    Tang Chhin Sothy AFP / Getty Images

    Disease

    Gushev Mikhail / Getty Images
    Gushev Mikhail / Getty Images
    Gushev Mikhail / Getty Images

    Law and order

    Nicolas Axelrod / Getty Images
    Nicolas Axelrod / Getty Images
    Nicolas Axelrod / Getty Images

    Crime

    Omar Havana / Getty Images
    Omar Havana / Getty Images
    Omar Havana / Getty Images

    Like BuzzFeed Australia on Facebook