RISE media release 09/03/2011Three refugees in Villawood immigration detention centre are on day 8 of their hunger strike. The men have been accepted as refugees by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (“DIAC”) but have been given adverse security assessments by ASIO.
The refugees have been detained indefinitely for 18 months since arriving on Christmas Island in June 2009. All three were granted refugee status in 2009. All three received their security assessments a year after being given their refugee status. An adverse security assessment means they will be held indefinitely in detention unless a third country accepts them. They cannot be sent back to the countries they fled because they have been granted refugee status.
The men are requesting that a time frame in which a solution will be provided be communicated in writing by the Minister of Immigration. Since commencing their hunger strike, the DIAC case managers have visited them on day 1 and day 7 of their hunger strike and promised to return soon with a temporary solution. The three men have not received any further verbal or written communication from the department.
The three refugees also sent a written request to the UNHCR asking for a meeting to discuss resettlement solutions. The UNHCR have not yet responded.
Jayani Nadarajalingam, from R.I.S.E, says “R.I.S.E urges DIAC to promptly provide a humane solution to the three refugees on hunger strike and to all other refugees with adverse security assessments”.
R.I.S.E’s recent submission to the PJCIS about ASIO and refugee security assessments is available here: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/pjcis/adminexp9/subs/Sub%2013%20RI...
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Hunger strike at Villawood ends
The hunger strike at Villawood has ended on Sunday March 13–below is the text below of a letter sent by the strikers to the Immigration Department to inform them.
Villawood IDC
15 Birmingham Avenue
Villawood
13 March 2011
Deputy Director – IMA
Villawood IDC
Villawood NSW
Dear Sir,
Concluding the fasting vigil
We, Thillainathan Suthakaran, Kokilakumar Subramaniyam and Suvendran Kathirkamaththamby, are writing to inform you that we are concluding our fast on 13 March 20^11, which started on 1 March 2011.
We came to this decision, following numerous requests from our wide range of well-wishers in the Tamil community and the greater Australian community. Their continuing understanding and their support for our struggle to lead a productive life in this world give us a confidence that something positive will happen for us soon. We want to show our good will and give a chance to the Department of immigration to take necessary actions.
Our well-wishers include individuals and community organisations. We thank them all for their care and kindness during this difficult time.
We particularly thank the legal professionals, who intend to represent us in our struggle and made a passionate request to finish our vigil. We wish to give their attempts a chance.
We believe our requests for a timeframe to bring a solution are fair. We hope the Department of Immigration and ASIO would look at our cases, and make a favourable decision. As in the past we will continue to work with the Department.
Regards,
Thillainathan Suthakaran
Kokilakumar Subramaniyam
Suvendran Kathirkamaththamby
http://refugeeaction.org.au/2011/03/13/hunger-strike-at-villawood-ends/