"You can't keep someone locked up for two years behind an electrified
fence and tell them they're free. All he wanted was one day of freedom – one day
– and they wouldn't give it to him. Well now he's free." - A close friend of a
refugee named Shooty* spoke these words to us after Shooty died in immigration
detention at 3am Wednesday.
Yesterday news broke of yet another life lost in our detention system. A young Sri Lankan man took his own life after nearly two years of detention inside Villawood -- despite being granted refugee status (but not release) earlier this year.
It was supposed to be a day of celebration. Only a few weeks ago he had asked to spend this Wednesday at his friend’s nearby home, celebrating the Hindu holy day of Diwali, "the festival of lights." Yet, despite no objections from Serco (the private security firm running Villawood) and the fact that four guards were set to accompany him, the Department of Immigration refused his request – claiming it wasn’t a "compassionate or compelling reason" for a day's release from Villawood.
Who stands accountable when a man is locked away for seeking asylum, refused even a day's respite after nearly 730 days of captivity and finally takes his own life in despair? Tell our government enough -- end this disgrace.
http://www.getup.org.au/detention-disgrace
While yesterday's observance of Diwali was meant to be a "celebration of the victory of good over evil and the uplifting of spiritual darkness," unfortunately the long-term detention that Shooty suffered broke his spirit. Sadly, a friend yesterday described Shooty as "one of the strongest" in detention and "the last person I expected to commit suicide." When others were down this was a man who lifted their spirits and kept them positive. "He was loved by everyone."
Yesterday the Minister for Immigration confirmed 462 others who have already been granted refugee status and have had health and security assessments are still behind the razor wire right now, awaiting their final security clearance. But it doesn't need to be this way: ASIO, the government agency in charge of performing these security checks, says there's no legal requirement in their Act for refugees to be kept in detention. Meanwhile, there have now been six suicides in detention since Labor took office, and transition to community detention hasn't been happening fast enough.
It is a sad day when a young man finally on the edge of freedom breaks under the weight of an inhumane system and takes his own life. Tell our government, never again:
http://www.getup.org.au/detention-disgrace
Thank you for using your voice,
The GetUp team
---
* NB: We've used the young man's nickname over fears that family members, still in Sri Lanka, may face reprisal if his real name is publicised.
Support is available for anyone who may be suffering depression or other mental illnesses by calling Lifeline on 131 114
GetUp is an independent, not-for-profit community campaigning group. We use new technology to empower Australians to have their say on important national issues. We receive no political party or government funding, and every campaign we run is entirely supported by voluntary donations. If you'd like to contribute to help fund GetUp's work, please donate now! If you have trouble with any links in this email, please go directly to www.getup.org.au. To unsubscribe from GetUp, please click here. Authorised by Simon Sheikh, Level 5, 116 Kippax St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Yesterday news broke of yet another life lost in our detention system. A young Sri Lankan man took his own life after nearly two years of detention inside Villawood -- despite being granted refugee status (but not release) earlier this year.
It was supposed to be a day of celebration. Only a few weeks ago he had asked to spend this Wednesday at his friend’s nearby home, celebrating the Hindu holy day of Diwali, "the festival of lights." Yet, despite no objections from Serco (the private security firm running Villawood) and the fact that four guards were set to accompany him, the Department of Immigration refused his request – claiming it wasn’t a "compassionate or compelling reason" for a day's release from Villawood.
Who stands accountable when a man is locked away for seeking asylum, refused even a day's respite after nearly 730 days of captivity and finally takes his own life in despair? Tell our government enough -- end this disgrace.
http://www.getup.org.au/detention-disgrace
While yesterday's observance of Diwali was meant to be a "celebration of the victory of good over evil and the uplifting of spiritual darkness," unfortunately the long-term detention that Shooty suffered broke his spirit. Sadly, a friend yesterday described Shooty as "one of the strongest" in detention and "the last person I expected to commit suicide." When others were down this was a man who lifted their spirits and kept them positive. "He was loved by everyone."
Yesterday the Minister for Immigration confirmed 462 others who have already been granted refugee status and have had health and security assessments are still behind the razor wire right now, awaiting their final security clearance. But it doesn't need to be this way: ASIO, the government agency in charge of performing these security checks, says there's no legal requirement in their Act for refugees to be kept in detention. Meanwhile, there have now been six suicides in detention since Labor took office, and transition to community detention hasn't been happening fast enough.
It is a sad day when a young man finally on the edge of freedom breaks under the weight of an inhumane system and takes his own life. Tell our government, never again:
http://www.getup.org.au/detention-disgrace
Thank you for using your voice,
The GetUp team
---
* NB: We've used the young man's nickname over fears that family members, still in Sri Lanka, may face reprisal if his real name is publicised.
Support is available for anyone who may be suffering depression or other mental illnesses by calling Lifeline on 131 114
GetUp is an independent, not-for-profit community campaigning group. We use new technology to empower Australians to have their say on important national issues. We receive no political party or government funding, and every campaign we run is entirely supported by voluntary donations. If you'd like to contribute to help fund GetUp's work, please donate now! If you have trouble with any links in this email, please go directly to www.getup.org.au. To unsubscribe from GetUp, please click here. Authorised by Simon Sheikh, Level 5, 116 Kippax St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
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