On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 17, the ALP federal government seized a Tamil refugee, a survivor of torture at the hands of the notorious Sri Lankan security forces, and locked him in a detention centre. They did this to make it easier for them to forcibly deport this victim of persecution back into the hands of those from whose persecution he first fled.
?This is the first forced removal of Sri Lankan refugee from the community under Gillard? said Ramesh Fernandez, CEO of RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees. ?This man is in no condition to be removed: he is medicated out of consciousness for his trauma symptoms. Chris Bowen must know that the asylum seeker and survivor community will not allow this removal.?
Mr X has endured a horror weekend at Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre anticipating his forced removal. His back is broken from beatings he received whilst detained by his persecutors; he continues to receive medical treatment in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychologists specialising in the treatment of torture survivors have expressed their concern for the life of this man, over at least 4 reports sent to the Minister for Immigration – to no avail.
In October 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture wrote to the Australian Government seeking an urgent response in this man?s case. There has been no response. There has only been action towards his removal.
It is now time for OUR ACTION. Join RISE at Maribyrnong IDC, 2PM, SUNDAY 22ND JULY.
Contact RISE:?admin@riserefugee.org.au?/ (03) 9639?8623
Event details:?http://www.facebook.com/events/501276103232745/