WA: Boy wins refugee status

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2000
WA: Boy wins refugee status

A three-year-old boy born to Chinese parents in Western Austrlaia's Port Hedland immigration
detention facility has won a lengthy battle to stay in the country.

The High Court ruled today that SHI HAI CHEN be granted refugee status, overturning
an April 1999 decision by the full court of the Federal Court that found he wasn't eligible.

The boy's parents, CHEN REN BING and TANG DE TING, illegally entered Australia by boat
in November 1994 with their first son, leaving a daughter behind in China.

SHI HAI was born in 1996.

The High Court found that he'd face discrimination and persecution if forced to return
to China because his parents had contravened China's one-child policy.

The boy's parents and brother will also be allowed to remain in Australia.

AAP RTV alm/as/rt

KEYWORD: CHEN (PERTH)

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