Arts Non-Fiction Award: Borderline, Peter Mares
Borderline is a thoroughly researched yet tightly written book about Australia's treatment of asylum seekers.
About this winner
- Year: 2001
- Level: Winner
- Award category: Media award
About the 2001 nomination
Borderline is a thoroughly researched yet tightly written book about Australia's treatment of asylum seekers. Peter Mares, the presenter of Asia Pacific on Radio Australia and Radio National, urges a more compassionate approach to asylum seekers while acknowledging the very real difficulties, in a political and practical sense, of implementing refugee policy.
The book is the culmination of extensive research into the legal and policy framework for asylum seekers and refugees entering Australia - and a collection of individual, sometimes heart wrenching, stories. The judges said Borderline was by far the most outstanding entry - an honest, thoughtful and powerful work. They said that the author was able to identify and discuss the human rights issues surrounding asylum seekers without being politically partisan or doctrinaire.
About the Human Rights Awards
The Australian Human Rights Awards is an inspirational showcase of the best in all of us. The Awards honour and celebrate diverse human rights heroes and significant achievements in protecting and promoting human rights in Australia.