After a shocking 4 Corners report on Monday, more than 30,000 GetUp members added their names to a petition calling on the Prime Minister to end Australia's detention disgrace.
Sadly, early yesterday morning our immigration detention system claimed another victim: 27 year old "Shooty" (as his friends knew him) who, after 2 years of detention, could no longer continue in a system of arbitrary and, what the Australian Medical Association has labeled, "abusive" detention system.
When we spoke with Shooty's friends, they expressed a real desire to ensure that the incredible human cost of detention climb no higher. Their wishes were for this moment to serve as a catalyst for change - but that will only happen if we stand together to create a massive public outcry.
So today, we're writing to share Shooty's story with you and are asking you to share it with those you know.
As compassionate and caring people, we cannot continue to allow this to happen in our name. We can't stand by while our elected leaders turn a blind eye to what has become a lethal policy. Australians, and those like Shooty seeking to become Australians, expect and deserve better.
Please help spread the word on Twitter, tell your friends about the campaign on Facebook, or share this campaign by simply forwarding the email below.
The GetUp Team
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"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.
Dear friend,
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
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* 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
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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. Please go directly to www.getup.org.au. Authorised by Simon Sheikh, Level 5, 116 Kippax St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
