Dear Ranjini,

I am so sorry to hear of your intolerable situation. I am disgusted at those who tout democracy and then do what they have done to you. There should be transparency and the ability to appeal all decisions like this. It would appear that you were a model citizen when you arrived and that is what we should value.

May God bless you and keep you and help to clear this up.
Judy

Ranjini,

I am an Aussie who is deeply embarrassed by our government’s appalling treatment of you and your family.

Lisa

Dear Ranjini

Today at school we talked about your situation including justice and in this situation I don’t see any justice whatsoever. I think these laws should change and the government wouldn’t like it if we put them in this horrible detention centre. I will fight for you every time I get to rescue you and your beautiful boys from that detention centre with the help from the government. I hope you are free as soon as possible and I hope nothing happens to you.

From Adriana

Dear Ranjini,

At school we talk about your story and it has made me think very hard. We talked about justice and I don’t think justice has been happening. I don’t think it is fair. I feel very angry about the desision that has been made. I love and admire that amazing picture you drew. I wish you all the best for you and your boys.

From Larissa

Dear Ranjini

I am deeply distressed by the circumstances in which you find yourself and I am equally disturbed by the heavy handed and inequitable (and probably iniquitous) approach of the Australian authorities. This is inhuman and I can scarcely believe that such a thing can happen in our democratic society. You have my deepest sympathy and support. I know little about you or your background other than what I have read but I do believe in a ‘fair go’ for everyone and I have an expectation of fairness from our judicial and legal system. I hope and pray that you find justice and fairness quickly. There will be millions of people who would find your treatment abominable and unacceptable in our democratic society.

May God give you strength to see you through your present trial.

Dear Ranjini,

My heart goes out to you. Today is World Refugee Day and it also happens to be my son’s 11th birthday. I can’t imagine how it must feel to have been through everything you endured to come to Australia as a refugee, no doubt hoping for a better life for your children, only to have this happen to you. The government policy that allows ASIO to take this action is indefensible. It doesn’t represent my views, nor those of millions of other Australians. We are thinking of you.

Sincerely, Hazel

I write this to express my deep sympathy support for Ranjini and many others like her. But I also write this out of anxiety for others like myself, who have not fallen foul of the “law” – as yet. I am also an immigrant from Sri Lanka, a voluntary one, not a refugee, who saw in Australia a country where the justice system seemed to function better than the those back home. But the “war on terror” seems to have suspended all that. People being held indefinitely without trial is one of the most common “crimes” that western governments, Australia too, accuse those “dictatorial / inhumane / undemocratic” regimes of. What’s the difference? What if they come for one of us tomorrow? And judging by how David Hicks was treated – it could be any one. Not just a recent immigrant from the wrong country or a refugee who thought she had found refuge. And the bitter irony? Sri Lanka has managed to find it in themselves to include two former rebel leaders, self-confessed mass killers, as Ministers in Government, but the widows and children of former fighters cannot apparently be given another chance at life, even here in Australia. Marisa is not, of course, my real name. I am sorry, but I just don’t feel comfortable writing this under my own name. What if I get a negative ASIO assessment too? I just hope enough people get behind this appeal not only for Ranjini, but for all of us. To make sure that Australia doesn’t forget its values and gives everyone a fair go.

Dear Ranjini

My prayers are with you and your family. May the Almighty give you the strength and endurance to deal with the toughest of times. I hope and pray there is a way for you to lead a peaceful and trouble free life.

Regards and prayers

The most disturbing thing about this case is the lack of information regarding the alleged accusations and the complete absence of recourse to appeal. Is there any room in this system for basic human rights? The fact that children (who have suffered the loss of their father) should be removed from their mother and stable family life is shocking.

Courage my friend, this is Australia, we are not dictators, strongarm men, they will sort out this mess, you’ll see, we are all praying for you. This should never have happened in this country.

Irene