#1MonthTooLong

Tomorrow will mark one month since Ranjini, a pregnant mother of two, was forcibly removed from her family in Melbourne and sent to the Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney. 

Ranjini has been given no reason for her detention, which under the current laws can be indefinite, and has not been charged or accused of any crime.

We urge Minister Bowen to use the powers assigned to him as Minister for Immigration to immediately release Ranjini, and allow her and her sons to return to their home in Melbourne. A failure by the Minister in this regard will expose Ranjini and her 2 sons to a substantial risk of mental illness, as well as harming Australia’s international reputation. As 4 corners demonstrated on Monday night, ASIO are prone to mistakes and given the consequences of their decisions – a thorough review process is critical to avoid tragedies.

Ranjini’s detention is a clear breach of human rights, and the denial of access to an appeal is a breach of the accepted rule of law.

Please keep Ranjini and her family in your thoughts tomorrow, and continue to tell and remind your friends and family of the tragedy that is occurring in their name, in their own backyard.

One month in detention is one month too long. The Minister must release Ranjini and her sons immediately, or be held liable for the ramifications of their detention. One wonders how he gets to sleep at night.

-Anthony Bieniak