Life Imprisonment?

Happy New Year...

In Sydney, in a suburb called Villawood there is a detention center. Inside Villawood detention center is a young Sri Lankan woman named Ranjini. Ranjini and her two children are refugees in Australia. In May of this year Ranjini's protection visa was revoked and she and her children were remanded to Villawood detention center. Ranjini's protection visa was revoked because ASIO gave her a negative security assessment. This does not mean she is a terrorist, in fact no one is quite sure what this means as the records relating to her assessment are not publicly available. For now it means Ranjini is stuck; unable to return home (she's a refugee remember) and unable to live in the community. Oh and Ranjini is pregnant, she will likely give birth in the detention center with little hope that she or her child will have the freedom to enjoy the life we all look forward to in 2013.

This story highlights a couple of grave issues: Firstly that a child in Australia can be born into imprisonment with little hope of freedom. Secondly that individuals assessed as refugees but with negative ASIO security risk assessments face indefinite detention with no recourse available to them at present. Not to cast too dramatic a light on this but consider that we are talking about indefinite detention, without charge that includes children, secret records and a so far implacable government bureaucracy. 

I find this whole situation deeply disturbing. There is a definite lack of respect for principles of human rights and transparency at work here, the absence of which casts the department responsible in a most despotic light. We are told there is a negative security assessment but there is no opportunity for scrutiny of these claims. In effect Ranjini is being denied the right to defend herself against claims that she is equally being denied access to. Further even if we were to presume her guilt of the unknown charges that does not address the situation of her children, aged 6 & 9, being imprisoned with her. Further still it does not approach the situation her pregnancy and the impending birth of a new, completely innocent child. Ranjini's husband is still living in the community presenting at least one option for the family.

This case highlights in a most dramatic fashion the issues surrounding the detention of people arriving in Australia as asylum seekers. The government claims issues of border security necessitates detention however can we consider this claim to hold when children and unborn babies and under lock and key. Don't take my word for it, consider the issues for yourself. As Australia moves towards a federal election in 2013 this issue can illuminate for us the sort of society we want to live in; it may not affect our productivity or improve our material comforts but it could change our view of freedom and what we allow in a democratic society.

If you're interested to learn more about Ranjini and this unfolding story I'd suggest checking out the site 'Letters for Ranjini' where you can leave a not of support or explore the current news: http://lettersforranjini.com/