These people ran for their lives.

They went to the nearest point of safety

How many Syrians have claimed asylum in Australia compared to the surrounding countries as a result of the conflict?

Probably not many.

That's always been my issue.

Real asylum seekers tend to get left behind while we get swamped by the heroes who pay $10,000 to get on a boat and then send for their women who the heroes leave behind.

As the Sri Lankan Govmnt points out, they are migrants without papers, nothing more.

andrei

Lefties love to use the UN Refugee Convention as a defence

The whole purpose of the UN Refugee Convention is allow for those fleeing persecution to enter the nearest country to seek asylum

The Syrian conflict is a perfect example of this application

Those coming from the Middle-East should be seeking asylum in the nearest country to them and not travel half way around the world to Australia

Maqqa wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2013 at 5:32pm:

How many Syrians have claimed asylum in Australia compared to the surrounding countries as a result of the conflict?

Residing in Syrian Arab Republic [1]
Refugees [2]      
More info 149,709Refugee figure for Iraqis in the Syrian Arab Republic is a Government estimate. UNHCR has registered and is assisting 42,400 Iraqis at mid-2013.
Asylum Seekers [3]       2,069
Returned Refugees [4]       52,806
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) [5]       4,254,500
Returned IDPs [6]       0
Stateless Persons [7]       160,000
Various [8]       4
Total Population of Concern       4,619,088

Originating from Syrian Arab Republic [1]
Refugees [2]       1,888,823
Asylum Seekers [3]       33,335
Returned Refugees [4]       52,806
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) [5]       4,254,500
Returned IDPs [6]       0
Various [8]       7,903
Total Population of Concern       6,237,367

How about before making dumb assumptions next time you take the 10 seconds to check your own thread title.  Seriously, first result when Googled.

Your ignorance is astounding.

Maqqa wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2013 at 5:32pm:

These people ran for their lives. They went to the nearest point of safety How many Syrians have claimed asylum in Australia compared to the surrounding countries as a result of the conflict?

I agree...Palestine and Lebanon are far wealthier and better equipped to cope with millions of war ravaged refugees and Australia shouldn't do its bit to relieve the strain on the countries surrounding Syria