JAKARTA, March 25 (UPI) -- Indonesia has withdrawn its ambassador to Australia in a row over Canberra granting visas to 42 Indonesian asylum-seekers.
The asylum-seekers from West Papua landed at Cape York in a canoe in January, saying they would be further tortured by Indonesian authorities if they were returned.
They are activists and call for independence of East Timor from Indonesia, which has occupied it since the 1960s.
Dick Woolcott, head of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs, said a torture expert interviewed the asylum-seekers and determined they would face a threat if sent back.
They were granted three-year visas. The Australian newspapers reports Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda recalled Jakarta's ambassador to discuss options.
He accused Australia of using "double standards" by accepting these people while enforcing a rigorous refugee rejection standard.
