The Australian Tamil Congress (ATC) joins the hundreds of thousands of Australians who have called to stop the forcible removal of a Tamil family of four facing deportation to Sri Lanka.
As mother, Priya, father, Nadesalingam, and their two Australian born daughters, Kopika, aged 4 and Tharunicaa, aged 2, are held on Christmas Island, separated from their support network in mainland Australia, the ATC urges the Australian government and the Minister for Immigration to heed to calls of Australians of all walks to lives, and use their discretionary powers to allow the family to continue their lives in Australia.
"Above all this is a deeply humanitarian issue - a young hard working family with two Australian-born children fully integrated into Australian society and now fearful of returning to Sri Lanka," said ATC Chairman, Manokaran Manickavinayagam. "The incredible support they have received from all walks of Australia makes us proud and shows the true compassion of our country. The single act of their deportation, as though the intention is to convey a message of toughness, will be a severe, long lasting blot and national shame. We plead with the Minister of Immigration and the Prime Minister to intervene in this last minute in the name of humanity and compassion," he added.
The ATC is further concerned that the plight of the family has been well publicised in Sri Lankan media which may exacerbate the risks they already face upon their return and their intention to lead a peaceful life.
Recent developments in Sri Lanka, in particular the appointment of Shavendra Silva who has been implicated in war crimes and crimes against humanity as the new Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, have been met with widespread condemnation.
31 August 2019
