Australia has been criticised repeatedly by the Human Rights Council, countless other international bodies and humanitarian organisations over its offshore detention program and boat turn-back policies. Undocumented men, women and children have been detained on Nauru or Manus Island for an indefinite time. The government has bluntly stated that they will never be settled in Australia. Many have lived on these islands for years, and will continue to do so for years to come – out of sight, and out of mind. Why are we punishing asylum seekers? We are living in a time where it is politically popular to appeal to those who are afraid of asylum seekers. At present, the government is considering adding a lifetime ban to the Migration Act. It's bizarre, cruel and unnecessary. Every person has a right to flee danger. Every person has a right to seek safety. Asylum seekers are not criminals, and they do not deserve a lifetime ban from our country.

On Wednesday, protesters halted Question Time by responding to this bizarre amendment by using a bizarre tactic: they glued themselves to hand railings and furniture in Parliament House. They wanted politicians to know that they cannot sweep the changes to the Migration Act under the rug. It seems unlikely that the Labor or Liberal parties will change tack and propose humane policies when dealing with asylum seekers. They've been in near lockstep on asylum seeker policy for several years now. On the international stage, the question at hand is whether the Australian government truly believes we can lead the international community in human rights when our own backyard is in a state of shambles. Our government has vehemently defended the use of Manus Island and Nauru. It is unwilling to make policies changes recommended by the international community. If Australia is promoted to the Human Rights Council, how can we expect others nations to change when we do not lead by example? How can we be a leader in human rights when we are looking to impose a lifetime ban on refugees seeking asylum?

People who are living on Nauru and Manus have suffered enough. The amendments already in the Migration Act demonstrate to asylum seekers that they are unwanted. The lifetime ban is excessive; it is cruel to deny them the opportunity to ever visit family and friends who live in Australia. If the Parliament passes this change to the Migration Act we are not defenders of rights, nor should we claim to be. Instead, we are guilty of adding to the suffering of the weak and vulnerable. The Australian government is competing against France and Spain for a seat on the Human Rights Council for 2018-2020. In 2017 UN Members will vote in a secret ballot. If our government continues to promote inhumane policies no one could support Australia's candidacy, publicly or privately. The government has two years to dismantle the policies that put us to shame in the international community. Otherwise we should not get a seat on the Human Rights Council.

Alexandra Lancaster is a researcher at Harvard University in the areas of human rights, immigration practices and child protection. She contributed to the Children on the Move (2016) report by Harvard University's FXB Centre for Health and Human Rights.